JP2005502794A - Method and apparatus for applying a treatment fluid to a fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of processing a plurality of fabric articles contained within a chamber of a fabric processing apparatus, wherein the fabric treatment fluid is applied to the plurality of fabric articles while the plurality of fabric articles are moving such that the plurality of fabric articles are processed. A method including a step applied to the apparatus, and an apparatus capable of performing the method.

Description

【００３１】
ポリアルキレンオキシ基（Ｒ^１）の分子量は、約１０，０００以下である。好ましくは、ポリアルキレンオキシ基の分子量は約８，０００以下、最も好ましくは約３００〜約５，０００の範囲である。したがって、ｃ及びｄの値は、これらの範囲内の分子量を示す数であり得る。しかしながら、ポリエーテル鎖（Ｒ^１）中のエチレンオキシ単位（−Ｃ_２Ｈ_４Ｏ）の数は、ポリアルキレンオキシドポリシロキサンを水分散性又は水溶性にするのに十分な値でなければならない。ポリアルキレンオキシ鎖にプロピレンオキシ基が存在するとき、それは鎖中にランダムに分布するか又はブロックとして存在する可能性がある。好ましいシルウェット（Silwet）界面活性剤は、Ｌ−７６００、Ｌ−７６０２、Ｌ−７６０４、Ｌ−７６０５、Ｌ−７６５７、及びこれらの混合物である。表面活性の他にも、ポリアルキレンオキシドポリシロキサン界面活性剤は、布地に対して帯電防止の利益及び柔軟性などの他の利益をもたらすこともできる。
【００３２】
ポリアルキレンオキシドポリシロキサン類の調製は、当該技術分野において周知である。本発明のポリアルキレンオキシドポリシロキサンは、米国特許第３，２９９，１１２号に開示された手順により調製することができる。
【００３３】
他の好適なシリコーン界面活性剤はＳＦ−１４８８であり、ＧＥシリコーン流体（GE silicone fluids）より入手可能である。
【００３４】
添加剤として親油性流体と組み合わせて使用するのに好適なこれら及び他の界面活性剤は、当該技術分野で周知であり、より詳細にはカークオスマーの工業化学百科事典（Kirk Othmer’s Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology）、第３版、第２２巻、３６０〜３７９頁、「界面活性剤及び洗浄システム（Surfactants and Detersive Systems）」に記載されている。さらに好適な非イオン性の洗浄性界面活性剤は、米国特許第３，９２９，６７８号、ラフリン（Laughlin）ら、１９７５年１２月３０日、第１３欄１４行〜第１６欄６行に概略的に開示されている。
【００３５】
添加剤はまた、静電気防止剤であってもよい。洗濯及びドライクリーニング分野において用いられるいかなる好適な周知の静電気防止剤も、本発明の方法及び組成物に用いるのに好適である。静電気防止剤として特に好適なものは、静電気防止効果をもたらすことが既知である布地柔軟剤の一部である。例えば、Ｎ、Ｎ−ジ（タローオイル−オキシ−エチル）−Ｎ、Ｎ−ジメチルアンモニウム硫酸メチルなどの、約２０のヨード価を有する脂肪族アシル基を有する布地柔軟剤。しかし、静電気防止剤という用語は、この一部の布地柔軟剤だけに限定されず、全ての静電気防止剤を含むということが理解されるべきである。
【００３６】
添加剤はまた乳化剤であってもよい。乳化剤は化学分野で周知である。本質的に、乳化剤は２つ以上の不溶性又は準不溶性の相を一緒にして、安定した又は準安定したエマルションをもたらすように作用する。請求する発明において、乳化剤が乳化剤としてだけではなく、トリートメント性能増進剤としても作用できる、二重の目的を果たすことが好ましい。例えば、乳化剤はまた界面活性剤として作用し、それによりクリーニング性能を増進する。一般の乳化剤と乳化剤／界面活性剤との双方は市販されている。
【００３７】
（親油性流体）
本明細書の親油性流体は、布地物品処理機器の運転条件下で、換言すれば、本発明の布地物品の処理中に、液相が存在するものである。一般にこのような親油性流体は、室温及び常圧で完全に液体であることができ、容易に溶融する固体であることもでき、例えば約０℃〜約６０℃の範囲の温度で液体になるものであることができ、又は周囲温度及び常圧、例えば２５℃、１気圧で液体及び蒸気相の混合物を含むことができる。したがって、親油性流体は、二酸化炭素のような圧縮性気体ではない。
【００３８】
本明細書の親油性流体は、既知の慣用的なドライクリーニング流体の性質と等しいか、又は好ましくはそれを上回る不燃性を有するか、又は比較的高い引火点及び／若しくは低ＶＯＣ（揮発性有機化合物）性を有することが好ましいが、これらの用語はドライクリーニング産業で使用されるような慣用的な意味を有する。
【００３９】
さらに、本明細書の好適な親油性流体は流動し易く、粘性ではない。
【００４０】
一般に、本明細書の親油性流体は、本発明書で後述する試験の中で定義されるように、皮脂又は身体の汚れを少なくとも部分的に溶解できる流体であることが必要である。親油性流体の混合物もまた好適であり、下記の親油性流体試験の要件が満たされることを条件として、親油性流体は、任意の分率のドライクリーニング溶媒、特にフッ素化溶媒又は過フッ素化アミンを含む、より新しい種類のものを含むことができる。パーフルオロトリブチルアミンのようないくつかの過フッ化アミン類は、親油性流体として使用するには適さないが、親油性流体含有組成物中に存在し得る多くの潜在的な添加剤の１つとして存在してよい。
【００４１】
他の好適な親油性流体には、ジオール溶媒系、例えば、Ｃ６−若しくはＣ８−などの高級ジオール、又はさらに高級のジオール類、環状型と非環状型との両方を含む有機シリコーン溶媒類等、及びこれらの混合物が挙げられるが、これらに限定されない。
【００４２】
本発明の組成物の主成分として組み込むのに好適な非水性親油性流体の好ましい群には、低揮発性非フッ素化有機物、シリコーン、特にアミノ官能性シリコーン以外のもの、及びこれらの混合物が挙げられる。低揮発性非フッ素化有機物には、例えばオレアン（OLEAN）（登録商標）及びその他のポリオールエステル類、又は特定の比較的非揮発性の生分解性中鎖分枝状石油留分が含まれる。
【００４３】
本発明の組成物の主構成成分として組み込むのに好適な非水性親油性流体の別の好ましい群には、グリコールエーテル、例えば、プロピレングリコールメチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールｎ−プロピルエーテル、プロピレングリコールｔ−ブチルエーテル、プロピレングリコールｎ−ブチルエーテル、ジプロピレングリコールメチルエーテル、ジプロピレングリコールｎ−プロピルエーテル、ジプロピレングリコールｔ−ブチルエーテル、ジプロピレングリコールｎ−ブチルエーテル、トリプロピレングリコールメチルエーテル、トリプロピレングリコールｎ−プロピルエーテル、トリプロピレングリコールｔ−ブチルエーテル、トリプロピレングリコールｎ−ブチルエーテルが挙げられるが、これらに限定されない。組成物の主成分として、例えば、５０％を超過して用いられる好適なシリコーンには、「Ｄ５」と称されることもあるシクロペンタシロキサン、及び／又はほぼ同様の揮発性を有し、任意選択的に他の適合性のあるシリコーンにより補完される直鎖類似体が挙げられる。好適なシリコーン類は、文献で周知であるが、例えば、カークオスマーの工業化学百科事典を参照されたい。また、ゼネラル・エレクトリック（General Electric）、東芝シリコーン（株）、バイエル（Bayer）、及びダウ・コーニング（Dow Corning）を含む多数の供給源から入手可能である。他の好適な親油性流体が、プロクター・アンド・ギャンブル社（Procter & Gamble）、又はダウ・ケミカル（Dow Chemical）、及び他の供給元から購入可能である。
【００４４】
（親油性流体の適格性及び親油性流体試験（ＬＦ試験））
ドライクリーニング流体に対する既知の要求（例えば、引火点など）を満たすことができるとともに、下記の試験法に示されるように少なくとも部分的に皮脂を溶解することができるいかなる非水性流体も、本明細書の親油性流体として好適である。一般指針としてパーフルオロブチルアミン（フロリナート（Fluorinert）ＦＣ−４３（登録商標））はそれ自体（添加剤とともに、又は添加剤なしで）が標準物質であり、定義上は本明細書で使用される親油性流体として好適でない（本質的に非溶媒である）が、一方でシクロペンタシロキサンは好適な皮脂溶解特性を有し、皮脂を溶解させる。
【００４５】
以下は親油性流体として使用する他の物質、例えば、他の低粘度、自由流動性シリコーンの調査及び適格性認定方法である。この方法は、皮脂に関する汚れの雛形として、市販品として入手可能なクリスコ（Crisco）（登録商標）キャノーラ油、オレイン酸（純度９５％、シグマ・アルドリッチ社（Sigma Aldrich Co.）から入手可能）、及びスクアラン（純度９９％、Ｊ．Ｔ．ベーカー（J.T.Baker）から入手可能）を使用する。試験物質は、実質的に無水であり、いかなる添加された添加剤も評価中の他の材料も含んでいてはならない。
【００４６】
３本のバイアル瓶を用意し、各バイアル瓶に一種類の親油性の汚れを入れる。第一のバイアル瓶にキャノーラ油１．０ｇを入れ、第二のバイアル瓶にオレイン酸（９５％）１．０ｇを入れ、最後の第三のバイアル瓶にスクアラン（９９．９％）１．０ｇを入れる。各バイアル瓶に、親油性を試験する流体を１ｇ入れる。室温及び常圧で標準的な攪拌混合機において、最大設定で２０秒間、試験される親油性の汚れ及び流体を含有する各バイアル瓶を個別に混合する。バイアル瓶を作業台に載置し、室温及び常圧で１５分間安定させる。静止したときに、親油性の汚れの入ったいずれかのバイアル瓶に透明な単一相が形成された場合は、その非水性流体は、本発明による「親油性流体」として使用するに好適であると見なされる。しかし、３本のバイアル瓶全部に２つ以上の分離相が形成されている場合には、非水性流体を適格として拒絶するか又は容認する前に、油相中に溶解される非水性流体の量をさらに測定する必要がある。
【００４７】
このような場合には、注射器により、各バイアル瓶の各層から２００マイクロリットルのサンプルを注意深く抜き取る。各３つのモデル、汚れ及び試験される流体の較正サンプルの保持時間の決定後、注射器で抜き取った層のサンプルをＧＣオートサンプラーバイアル瓶に入れ、慣用的なＧＣ分析にかける。オレイン酸層、キャノーラ油層、又はスクアラン層からなる層のいずれか１つに、試験流体が１％超過、好ましくはより多く存在することがＧＣで見つかった場合には、その試験流体も親油性流体として使用するのに適格である。必要であれば、方法はヘプタコサフルオロトリブチルアミン、つまりフルオリネート（Fluorinert）ＦＣ−４３（不合格）及びシクロペンタシロキサン（合格）を使用してさらに較正することができる。好適なＧＣは、スプリット／スプリットレス注入器及びＦＩＤを装備したヒューレットパーッカード（Hewlett Packard）のガスクロマトグラフＨＰ５８９０シリーズＩＩである。親油性流体の存在量を決定するのに使用する好適なカラムは、Ｊ＆Ｗサイエンティフィック社（J&W Scientific）の、３０メートル、内径０．２５ｍｍ、０．１ｕｍのフィルム厚、カタログ番号１２２１１３１のキャピラリーカラムＤＢ−１ＨＴである。ＧＣは以下の条件下で操作されるのが好適である：
キャリアガス：水素
カラムヘッド圧：９ｐｓｉ（６２ｋＰａ）
流速：カラム流量＠〜１．５ｍｌ／分
スプリットベント＠〜２５０〜５００ｍｌ／分
セプタムパージ＠１ｍｌ／分
注入：ＨＰ７６７３オートサンプラー、１０μｌ注射器、１μｌ注入
注入器の温度：３５０℃
検出器温度：３８０℃
オーブン温度プログラム：開始６０℃、１分保持
速度２５℃／分
最終３８０℃、３０分保持
本明細書で使用するのに好適な好ましい親油性流体は、優れた衣類ケア特性を有することに基づいて、使用のためにさらに適格とすることができる。衣類ケア特性試験は当該技術分野において周知であり、継ぎ目等及び様々なボタンに使用される布地、糸、並びにゴムひもを含む幅広い範囲の衣類又は布地物品構成要素を使用して、適格とされるべき流体を試験することを含む。本明細書に用いるのに好ましい親油性流体は、優れた衣類ケア特性を有する。例えば、良好な収縮及び／又は布地ひだ寄せ特性を有し、プラスチックボタンに目立った損傷は与えない。例えば、エチルラクテートのような皮脂の除去において親油性流体として使用するのが適切である特定の物質は、ボタンを溶解する傾向があるために極めて好ましくなく、そのような物質が本発明の組成物中に使用される場合は、混合物全体が実質的にボタンに損傷を与えないように、水及び／又は他の物質と配合される。他の親油性流体、例えばＤ５は、衣類ケアの要件を極めてよく満たす。いくつかの好適な親油性流体は、付与された米国特許第５，８６５，８５２号、第５，９４２，００７号、第６，０４２，６１７号、第６，０４２，６１８号、第６，０５６，７８９号、第６，０５９，８４５号、及び第６，０６３，１３５号の中に見出され得るが、これらは本明細書に引用して援用する。
【００４８】
親油性流体には、直鎖及び環状ポリシロキサン、炭化水素、並びに塩素化炭化水素などを挙げることができるが、本明細書で使用される親油性流体の定義によって明確に包含されないＰＥＲＣは例外とする。（具体的には、ＤＦ２０００及びＰＥＲＣは除外する。）より好ましいのは線状及び環状ポリシロキサン、並びにグリコールエーテル、アセテートエステル、ラクテートエステル類の炭化水素である。好ましい親油性流体は、７６０ｍｍＨｇにおいて約２５０℃以下の沸点を有する環状シロキサンを含む。本発明で使用する特に好ましい環状シロキサンは、オクタメチルシクロテトラシロキサン、デカメチルシクロペンタシロキサン、及びドデカメチルシクロヘキサシロキサンである。好ましくは、環状シロキサンはデカメチルシクロペンタシロキサン（Ｄ５、ペンタマー）を含み、実質的にオクタメチルシクロテトラシロキサン（テトラマー）及びドデカメチルシクロヘキサシロキサン（ヘキサマー）を含まない。
【００４９】
しかし、有用な環状シロキサンの混合物は、好ましい環状シロキサンに加えて微量の他の環状シロキサンも含有する可能性があるということを理解する必要があり、こうした他の環状シロキサンには、オクタメチルシクロテトラシロキサン、及びヘキサメチルシクロトリシロキサン、又はテトラデカメチルシクロヘプタシロキサンのような、より高級な環状物が挙げられる。一般的に、環状シロキサン混合物に有用なこれらの他の環状シロキサン量は、混合物の全体の約１０重量％未満である。環状シロキサン混合物の工業規格では、このような混合物は混合物の約１重量％未満のオクタメチルシクロテトラシロキサンを含む。
【００５０】
したがって、本発明の親油性流体は、親油性流体の好ましくは約５０重量％超過、より好ましくは約７５重量％超過、さらにより好ましくは少なくとも約９０重量％、最も好ましくは少なくとも約９５重量％のデカメチルシクロペンタシロキサンを含む。あるいは、親油性流体は、混合物の約５０重量％超過、好ましくは約７５重量％超過、さらに好ましくは少なくとも約９０重量％、最も好ましくは少なくとも９５重量％〜約１００重量％のデカメチルシクロペンタシロキサン、並びに混合物の約１０重量％未満、好ましくは約５重量％未満、より好ましくは約２重量％未満、さらにより好ましくは約１重量％未満、最も好ましくは約０．５重量％未満〜約０重量％までのオクタメチルシクロテトラシロキサン及び／又はドデカメチルシクロヘキサシロキサンを有する環状シロキサンの混合物であるシロキサンを含んでもよい。
【００５１】
親油性流体の濃度は、本発明の親油性流体ベースの布地処理組成物中に存在する場合、好ましくは親油性流体ベースの布地処理組成物の約７０重量％〜約９９．９９重量％、さらに好ましくは約９０重量％〜約９９．９重量％、さらにより好ましくは、約９５重量％〜約９９．８重量％である。
【００５２】
（エマルション）
一部の親油性及び／又は処理流体は、効果的に操作するために及び／又は親水性の汚れを取り除くために、少なくともある程度の水を必要としてもよい。布地への損傷を最小限にするためにエマルションを水、親油性流体、及び／又は処理流体、並びに任意選択的に乳化剤を用いて形成してもよい。さらに、理論に束縛されることは意図しないが、水はまた、親油性流体のみではあまり有効ではない処理流体に対するキャリア及び／又は活性化剤としても機能する。この水は、処理プロセスにおいていかなる時点及び／若しくはいかなる順で添加されてもよく、又は布地に適用する前に親油性流体及び／若しくは処理流体と混合されてもよい。
【００５３】
（自動操作）
本発明は、布地装填物が動いている間にだけ処理流体が自動的に適用されるように自動化されるのが好ましい。この点に関して適用装置は、チャンバーが動いていない間は適用装置が作動しないように、装置内のチャンバー又はチャンバーモーターに連結している。さらに適用装置は、カスタムスプレー／混転サイクルが実行可能なように装置制御素子に連結されていてもよい。スプレー装置はまた、適用される各処理流体の全体積量及び／又は全適用時間を適用プロセスが起動する前又は作動している間に決定できるように、布地装填サイズ指示器に連結させることができる。１つのプログラム可能論理制御器が利用されて、どのように本発明の適用方法を実行するかという例を図１に示し、以下に記載する。
【表２】

【００５４】
（操作の順序）：
１．操作人は装填サイズ（ポンド）を装填物制御器に入力し、ＤＣプログラムを開始する。操作人が装填サイズを入力する必要がないように、装填物制御器又はＰＬＣに連結する装填サイズ指示器も有していてもよい。
【００５５】
２．ＤＣがプログラムのスプレーサイクルに到達したとき、Ｒ１又はＲ２と連結したＲ０中継器によってＰＬＣがそのプログラムを開始できる。
【００５６】
３．ＰＬＣは、Ｒ１及びＲ２をモニターすることによって、流体のスプレーとドラムの回転を同期させる。Ｒ１及びＲ２が作動している場合、ＰＬＣはバルブ及びポンプに通電してスプレーし、一掃し、システムを準備状態に保つ。
【００５７】
４．装填物制御器は、ＰＬＣにＲ１及びＲ２の次のサイクルをどれくらい続けるかの入力信号を与える。これは順に、装填物のサイズにより流体のスプレーされる時間、それによる流体の体積量を決定する。
【００５８】
５．任意選択的に、Ｖ１、Ｖ２、及びスプレーノズル（複数）との間の処理流体供給ラインは、空気が処理流体供給ライン及びスプレーノズル（複数）を一掃するように、Ｖ１を閉鎖することによって一掃され得る。この任意の手順により、処理流体供給ラインを将来の使用のために、又は別の処理流体の適用の直前に一掃する。
【００５９】
上記の例から、当業者は本発明の方法を実行するために、装置、この場合はドライクリーニング機を、如何にして改変するのかを理解すべきである。ノズルを適応させ、現行の「窓」と置き換えるために設計された新しいドア流入口を設けることによって、この例におけるノズルをチャンバードアの「窓」に配置する。当業者は、機器内に配管、流体供給保存器、及びバルブが既に取り付けられていない場合には、これらを容易に取り付けることができる。
【００６０】
本発明で使用する装置は、布地が動いている間だけ処理流体スプレーを装置中に及び布地上にスプレーすることによって、チャンバーを具備する布地処理装置内で処理流体を布地に適用できることを条件として、当業者に明らかなかなり多くの方法で構築されても、改変されてもよい。動いていないときにはスプレーしないことが本発明にとって重要である。これは、布地が部分飽和するのを避ける１つの機構である。すなわち、もし布地物品が処理流体スプレーの間、スプレー出口の前で動かないならば、一領域だけが飽和されることになり、望ましくない。同一装填物内の他の物品が処理流体と、仮にあったとしても、ほとんど接触しないという事実は、事態をさらに悪化させる。
【００６１】
好ましくはドラム運動は、布地が「スピン」よりもむしろ「混転」するような約１Ｇ未満の回転運動である。好ましいのはまた、時計周りの回転運動期間及び反時計周りの回転運動期間を含むドラム運動である。２方向の回転運動は、従来の洗濯機と同様に別々に、又は逆回転機と同様に同時に起こり得る。また、時計周りの回転運動は少なくとも約５秒、好ましくは少なくとも約５秒、長くて約２０秒続き、反時計周りの回転運動は少なくとも約５秒、好ましくは少なくとも約５秒、長くて約２０秒続き、スプレーが起こらない無運動期間は、少なくとも約１秒、好ましくは少なくとも約１秒、長くて約５秒続くのが好ましい。
【００６２】
本発明の手動実施の場合、操作人は布地が混転しているときだけスプレーを作動させて処理流体をスプレーし、処理流体適用サイクル全体をモニターする。しかし、手動の労力及びそれに伴うコストを削減するために、スプレーは、回転していない期間は自動的にスプレーしないように、チャンバー又はチャンバー運動を与えるモーターと同期させるのが好ましい。一旦、チャンバー運動及び／又はモーターが動かなくなると、処理流体供給バルブを閉じるか、アプリケーターを停止させるか、又はその双方のために信号が送給され得る。
【００６３】
一部の処理流体は高価である場合があり、処理のコスト有効性を無駄にしないためにも計算された量で使用しなければならない。他の処理流体は、コストに拘わらず過剰量では望ましくない場合がある。そのためスプレーされる全処理流体の適切な体積量を決定するために、機器操作人は、スプレーすべき流体の全量を布地装填物の重量又はサイズ及び選択された処理流体に基づいて計算する。さらに操作人は、布地が混転しているる間だけ所定の流速で必要な体積量の処理流体をスプレーするための混転流量を設計する。あるいは、操作人は、固定した混転流量に適応させるためにスプレー流速を変えることもできる。プロセスは、特に一連の又は組み合わせた多数の処理流体が処理流体適用サイクルの間に適用されなければならない場合に、かなり複雑になり得る。
【００６４】
そのため、装置に既に存在しない場合には、布地装填サイズ指示器を加えることによって装置を自動化するのが好ましい。布地装填サイズ指示器は、特定の布地装填物に適用されるべき処理流体の全体積量を自動的に決定し、操作人入力パネル及び／又は布地装填物スケールから選択できる。操作人入力パネルは、小、中、大などのような定性的基準で、又はポンド数のような定量的基準で装填サイズを選択できる。布地装填物スケールが布地装填物を計量し、プログラム可能論理制御器に直接測定重量を与えるのは明らかである。どちらの場合でも、プログラム可能論理制御器は、処理流体を用いる布地係数への直接変換又はアルゴリズムによって布地装填サイズを処理流体の全量に変換する。
【００６５】
前述の「適用」の項で議論したように、スプレーパラメータは多くの方法で変化し得る。１つの好ましいスプレーパラメータは、スプレー元の点から一番遠いチャンバー壁までのおよその距離未満であるスプレー到達長さに関連する。このように大部分のスプレー液滴はチャンバー壁上にたどり着くことはなく；むしろ液滴は消散し、布地物品と混合する。スプレーノズルがドアに配置される上記の例では、スプレー到達長さがノズル出口から水平ドラムの奥部までの距離に等しいか、又はそれ未満である。
【００６６】
到達長さは多くのスプレーについて容易に測定でき、同様に容易に変更できる。布地含有チャンバーは、三次元幾何学形状に例えることができ；洗濯機の場合に、それは典型的には、中空円柱体である。所望のスプレー到達長さを確かめるには、スプレーアプリケーターの設定部位からアプリケーターのスプレーラインにおける一番遠いチャンバー壁の距離を測定するだけである。スプレー到達長さは、選択されるアプリケーター（複数）、処理流体密度及び／又は粘度、処理流体供給圧力、及びチャンバー内部気体剪断力の関数である。スプレー到達長さは、当業者によって容易に変更可能である。
【００６７】
別の好ましいパラメータは、中央値液滴サイズが約１μｍ〜約３００μｍ、より好ましくは５μｍ〜約３００μｍ、最も好ましくは約５μｍ〜約５０μｍである処理流体スプレーである。１つの好ましいスプレー発生方法は、気体補助ノズル及び気体を利用して処理流体を処理流体スプレーに変換するものである。気体補助ノズルは、約５ｐｓｉ（３４ｋＰａ）〜約８０ｐｓｉ（５５０ｋＰａ）、より好ましくは約２０ｐｓｉ（１４０ｋＰａ）〜約３０ｐｓｉ（２１０ｋＰａ）の圧力で操作されるのが好ましい。最も好ましい気体は、窒素、空気、蒸気、及びこれらの組み合わせである。
【００６８】
別の好ましいスプレー発生方法は、圧力アトマイザーを利用して処理流体を処理流体スプレーに変換するものである。圧力アトマイザーは、本明細書の「適用」の項で議論される。第３に好ましいスプレー発生方法は、高体積量超音波アトマイザーである。
【００６９】
本発明で使用するのに好適な処理流体としては、本明細書の小項目の「処理流体」で議論されるものに加えて、香料、酵素、漂白剤、界面活性剤、乳化剤、布地柔軟剤、抗菌剤、静電気防止剤、増白剤、染料固着剤、染料磨耗防止剤、クロッキング防止剤、しわ軽減剤、防しわ剤、汚れ放出ポリマー、日焼け止め剤、退色防止剤、耐水剤、染み防止剤、防汚剤、及びこれらの混合物が挙げられる。
【００７０】
本発明はまた、上記で記載される方法の少なくとも全てを実行できる装置に関する。装置は、処理流体スプレーを布地が動いている間だけ装置中にスプレーすることにより、布地に処理流体を適用すべきである。装置は、少なくとも、布地を含有するための少なくとも１つのチャンバー、チャンバーに回転運動を与えることができるようにチャンバーに機械的に連結された少なくとも１つのチャンバー回転提供モーター、チャンバーに処理流体スプレーを送給できるように装置に配置された、処理流体を処理流体スプレーに変換するための少なくとも１つのアプリケーター、処理流体スプレーに変換するためのアプリケーターに処理流体を供給できるように少なくとも１つの処理流体導管によってアプリケーターに連結された、処理流体を含有するための少なくとも１つの処理流体供給器、及びチャンバー無運動期間に自動的に処理流体スプレーを停止させるためにアプリケーターを作動及び停止させることのできるよう、チャンバー又はチャンバー回転提供モーターに電気的又は機械的に連結された装置内のチャンバー運動又はチャンバー回転提供モーターとスプレーとを同期させる少なくとも１つの同期素子を含む。
【００７１】
前記方法と同様に、装置はスプレーされるべき処理流体の全量を決定するために布地装填物指示器を含むのが好ましい。これは、重量スケール、装填物制御器、操作人入力、及びこれらの組み合わせを含む群から選択される要素であるのが好ましい。布地装填サイズ指示器を利用する方法は、上記で議論されたとおりである。
【００７２】
前記方法と同様に、装置の同期は手動労力が最小限になるように自動化するのが好ましい。好ましくは同期性能は、プログラム可能論理制御器、及び／又はチャンバー若しくはチャンバー回転提供モーターのいずれかに連結された回転運動指示器からなる群から選択される要素を含む。同期方法は、上記で議論されたように実行される。
【００７３】
好ましいアプリケーターとしては、圧力アトマイザー、気体補助ノズル、及び超音波アトマイザーが挙げられる。気体補助ノズルが選択される場合、装置はさらに少なくとも１つの気体導管及び少なくとも１つの気体供給器を含む。気体導管は、処理流体を噴霧し、処理流体スプレーがチャンバーに進むのを助けるために、気体をアプリケーターに輸送できるよう気体供給器をアプリケーターに連結させる。気体導管は、加圧された気体を輸送するのに、任意の好適な流体ラインであることができ、当業者によって選択され得る。気体供給器は、供給器の代表的な「タンクタイプ」であることができるか、又は装置内で発生させることができる。空気圧縮器並びに窒素及び蒸気発生ユニットは、産業界で周知である。気体補助ノズルを利用する場合、気体導管は、約５ｐｓｉ（３４ｋＰａ）〜約８０ｐｓｉ（５５０ｋＰａ）、より好ましくは約２０ｐｓｉ（１４０ｋＰａ）〜約３０ｐｓｉ（２１０ｋＰａ）の圧力で操作されるのが好ましい。
【００７４】
本発明は他の布地処理と組み合わせてもよいことが理解される。例えば、処理の前に布地物品を、ノイエス（Noyes）らによって２０００年３月２４日に出願された同時係属出願第６０／１９１，９６５号に記載されている粒子除去方法に供してもよい。
【００７５】
本発明は、ドライクリーニングサービス、おむつサービス、制服洗浄サービスのようなサービスに、又はコインランドリー、ドライクリーナー、ホテル、レストラン、コンベンションセンター、空港、観光船、港湾施設、カジノの一部であるリネンサービスのような商業的ビジネスに用いてもよく、又は家庭で用いてもよい。
【００７６】
本発明はまた、「逆回転」ドラムを有する装置で行われてもよい。逆回転ドラムは、ツーピーススプリットドラムであり、ここではドラムの半分がそれぞれドラムの他方の半分と反対方向に同時に回転できる。逆回転動作は、ドラム内の布地物品の位置をランダムに再配置するのに有効な機構である。これらの装置はダイソン（Dyson）のような会社から市販されている。
【００７７】
本発明は、「デュアルモード」機能が可能な装置によって実行されてもよい。「デュアルモード」の装置とは、同一チャンバーの中で布地の洗濯及び乾燥の双方が可能であるものを示す。これらの装置は特に欧州では広範囲で利用可能である。
【００７８】
本発明は、改造された既存装置であり、関連方法に加えて本発明の方法を実施できるように改良された装置で実施してもよい。
【００７９】
最終的に本発明は、既存の装置を改造したものではないが、本発明の方法を実施できるように特別に構築された装置で使用してもよい。これは、化学物質及び／又は水の供給、並びに廃液流体の下水設備への接続のような付随するあらゆる配管を含む。
【００８０】
本発明の方法で用いられる装置は、典型的には、ある種の制御システムを含有する。これらには、いわゆるスマート制御システムと同様に、さらに伝統的な電気機械システムのような電気システムが挙げられる。制御システムにより、ユーザーが処理されるべき布地装填物のサイズ、処理タイプ、及び処理サイクル時間を選択できるようになる。もう１つの方法として、ユーザーは予め設定した処理サイクルを用いることができ、又は装置が確認可能なあらゆる数のパラメータに基づいてサイクルの長さを制御することもできる。このことは、電気制御システムについて特にあてはまる。
【００８１】
電気制御システムの場合、選択肢の１つは制御デバイスをいわゆる「スマートデバイス」にすることである。これには、自己診断システム、負荷の種類及びサイクル選択、機器をインターネットに接続して使用者が装置を遠隔的に始動させ、装置が布地物品を処理したら知らせること、又は装置が故障した場合、供給元が遠隔的に問題を診断することを含むことを意味するが、これらに限定されない。その上、本発明の装置が単に洗浄システムの一部であるならば、いわゆる「スマートシステム」は、洗濯機や乾燥機のような洗浄工程の残りを完了するのに用いられる、その他の洗浄装置に連絡させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【００８２】
【図１】本発明の適用方法を実行するために利用できるプログラム可能論理制御器の概略図である。【Technical field】
[0001]
(Related application)
This application claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 312,625, filed Aug. 15, 2001.
[0002]
(Field of Invention)
The present invention relates to a method and / or system for applying a treatment fluid to a plurality of fabric articles in a fabric treatment apparatus. The invention also relates to an apparatus capable of performing such a method and / or system.
[Background]
[0003]
In recent years, consumers have come to want more of what can be delivered from both conventional laundry and dry cleaning practices. In addition, consumers and commercial service providers prefer these effects to be delivered within one device to minimize further labor or effort. Examples of desired deliverables include durability, elasticity, water resistance, stain resistance, aesthetics, perfume applicability, improved cleanability, improved whitening properties, and wrinkle reduction / wrinkle removal Fabric treatment for sexuality.
[0004]
Most of these deliverables require a small or even distribution of a small amount of fluid over the fabric surface, considering cost or effectiveness. For example, fragrances require a semi-uniform distribution. In other words, it is not desirable for one fabric article to be soaked in the perfume while another fabric article has a drop in one area. On the other hand, water resistance requires uniform distribution. In other words, it is desirable for the fabric article or some fabric articles to be covered almost entirely so that the water resistance does not stain on the article.
[0005]
Conventional water-based laundry and dry cleaning devices typically have a 1 located at or near the top of the chamber above the area where the fabric load is normally present while the fabric load is in the chamber. From one or more outlets, an aqueous liquid or cleaning fluid is introduced separately. Spray devices are rarely used. The cleaning fluid in the case of a dry cleaning device or the aqueous liquid in the case of a conventional washing device flows out of at least one outlet and falls on or near the fabric load. Usually, but not always, this wash solution will continue to flow until the fabric load is impregnated, where all articles in the fabric load are well beyond its absorbent capacity.
[0006]
Full impregnation is an effective way to deliver cleaning solutions composed of additive components and water or cleaning fluid; however, as suggested above, recently requested delivery Many of the possibilities require a low amount of fluid distribution on the fabric surface in order to be effective or economically feasible. As a result, complete impregnation is neither an effective way nor a cost-aware way of delivering the effects that many consumers notice. The application of even lower volumes of fluid can be achieved with a controlled flow device, especially if some fabric articles are placed immediately in front of this controlled flow device and block the path to other fabric articles. The problem of partial saturation and non-uniform distribution throughout the fabric load remains.
[0007]
Therefore, it is economically feasible to apply treatment fluid to the surface of fabric to deliver the effects noted by consumers without the disadvantages of partial saturation and heterogeneous treatment fluid distribution There is a need for an effective and / or effective method.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
This requirement does not have the disadvantages of partial saturation and heterogeneous treatment fluid distribution, and economically and / or effectively applies the fabric treatment fluid to the surface of the fabric to deliver the consumer's attention effect. This method is satisfied by the present invention.
[0009]
In general, the present invention includes contacting a plurality of fabric articles contained within a fabric-containing chamber of a fabric treatment apparatus while the plurality of fabric articles are moving.
[0010]
In a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for processing a plurality of fabric articles contained within a chamber of a fabric processing apparatus, the method comprising: Contacting the plurality of fabric articles with a fabric treatment fluid such that the articles are processed.
[0011]
In a second aspect of the present invention, a fabric processing system comprising:
a. A chamber for receiving a plurality of fabric articles to be treated;
b. A motion feeder associated with the chamber for imparting motion to the plurality of fabric articles when the plurality of fabric articles are contained within the chamber;
c. An applicator associated with the chamber for applying a fabric treatment fluid to the plurality of fabric articles when the plurality of fabric articles are contained within the chamber;
A fabric treatment system in which the motion supply and the applicator are in communication such that the applicator applies the fabric treatment fluid to the plurality of fabric articles only while the plurality of fabric articles are moving. Provided.
[0012]
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a fabric processing apparatus comprising:
a. A chamber for receiving a plurality of fabric articles to be treated;
b. A motion feeder mechanically associated with the chamber so as to provide rotational motion to the chamber;
c. An applicator mechanically associated with the chamber for applying a fabric treatment fluid to the chamber;
And a fabric treatment device in which the motion supply and the applicator are in communication such that the applicator applies the fabric treatment fluid to the chamber only while the chamber is moving.
[0013]
The present invention therefore provides a method and system for fabric treatment and an apparatus for use in such a method and / or system.
[0014]
These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims. All proportions, ratios and parts herein are on a weight basis unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, all temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C). All measured values are in SI units unless otherwise specified. All cited documents, books, papers, and references are incorporated herein by reference in their relevant parts.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0015]
(Definition)
As used herein, the terms “fabric”, “fabric article”, and “fabric load” mean any article or group of articles that are typically washed in a conventional laundry or dry cleaning process. Is intended. Such terms include garments, linen, clothing, and clothing accessories. The term also encompasses other items made entirely or partially of cloth, such as handbags, furniture covers, waterproof fabrics, and the like.
[0016]
As used herein, the term “lipophilic fluid” means any non-aqueous fluid capable of removing sebum, as qualified by the tests described herein.
[0017]
The terms “processing fluid”, “additive”, and “additive component” refer to surfactants, bleaches, durability agents, resiliency agents, water resistance agents, stain-preventing agents, visual aesthetics. It includes at least one component selected from property improvers, aroma enhancers, cleaning agents, whitening agents, wrinkle reducing / wrinkle removing agents, and the like. These additives and others are also described in more detail herein.
[0018]
As used herein, the term “motion feeder” refers to a plurality of fabric articles residing in a chamber, as well as a motor coupled to a fabric article receiving chamber to provide motion, preferably rotational motion to the chamber. Includes other means of imparting movement. Non-limiting examples of such other means include gas articles that are applied to a chamber to move and / or tumble a plurality of fabric articles, mixers, stirrers, and fabric articles that extend to a fabric article-containing chamber. Other mechanical devices that can move the
[0019]
(Application of fabric treatment fluid)
Utilizing a spray applicator is the preferred method for carrying out the application method of the present invention. Spray techniques, including spray properties and nozzle types, see A. H. A. H. Lefebvre nebulization and spraying, Hemisphere Publishing Company, USA, 1989, is described in detail. There are many ways to apply processing fluid via a spray applicator in accordance with the present invention.
[0020]
Sprays vary particularly in pattern, reach length, shape, and droplet size. Two preferred shapes for the spray include a solid conical shape and a hollow conical spray pattern. A solid conical spray is one in which the droplets are distributed fairly evenly throughout the solid conical volume. A hollow conical spray is one in which droplets are concentrated on the outer edge of a conical spray pattern. The fan spray or flat spray or flat fan spray is a fan-shaped shape having an angle of about 75 degrees of a circle and has an elliptical cross section. Flat fan spray is not the preferred spray shape for the purposes of the present invention.
[0021]
There are also many variations on the system operation used to spray. Nebulization is the process of breaking a volume of liquid into many small droplets, and there are many devices available for spray generation, all of which are suitable for use in the present invention. A pressure atomizer is a single fluid atomizer that converts pressure into kinetic energy to produce a fast relative velocity between the liquid and the surrounding gas. A simple aperture atomizer is one that ejects liquid at high speed through a small round hole; a well-known example is a diesel injector. An ultrasonic atomizer uses a vibrating surface to destabilize a liquid film and break up into droplets. A whistle atomizer uses a sound wave to pulverize a liquid jet into droplets.
[0022]
Gas auxiliary nozzles are those that use high-speed gas or vapor to improve pressure atomization at low liquid flow rates. A gas blast atomizer exposes a liquid jet or sheet to a flowing gas at high speed. The main difference between the two systems is in the amount of gas used and its spray rate. In the case of gas auxiliary nozzles, the gas is supplied from a compressor or high pressure cylinder; it is important to maintain at least the gas flow rate. However, there is no limit with regard to gas pressure; so the atomizing gas velocity can be very fast. In short, gas assisted atomizers are characterized by the use of a relatively small amount of very fast gas. One variation is an external mixing nozzle; it is a gas assisted atomizer in which high velocity gas impinges on the liquid at or outside the final opening. Examples of gases that can be used for all gas auxiliary nozzles include air, nitrogen, steam, and combinations thereof. Of course, the gas or combination of gases may contain contaminants including other gases.
[0023]
Other spray parameters include spray flow parameters as well as those including spray droplet size and distribution. Polydisperse sprays contain droplets of different sizes and can exist in any droplet shape. Spray droplet size is typically expressed in micrometers as the diameter of a spherical droplet. The median diameter of mass or volume is the droplet diameter such that 50% of the total mass or total volume of all spray droplets is less than or greater than that diameter.
[0024]
The spray flow rate is the amount of liquid released during a given period; it is usually specified by all factors that affect the flow rate, such as pressure differential and liquid density. The reach length is the maximum distance the spray can reach in stagnant air. Furthermore, the reach length is important for both stable and transient sprays. The reach length is constant for a stable spray. The reach length varies over time for transient sprays. As described, sprays may be designed for a wide variety of applications by changing many of the parameters discussed herein.
[0025]
(Fabric treatment fluid)
Processing fluids or additives can vary widely and can be used in a wide range of concentrations. For example, detergent enzymes such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, as well as bleach catalysts containing macrocycles with manganese or similar transition metals, all useful in laundry or cleaning products, It can be used herein at low concentrations or less commonly but higher concentrations. Catalytic additives, such as enzymes, can be used in “forward” or “reverse” mode, which is a useful finding regardless of the particular instrument of the present invention. For example, lipolase or other hydrolase may optionally be used to convert fatty acids to esters in the presence of alcohols as additives, thereby increasing the solubility of the lipophilic fluid. This is a “reverse” operation, as opposed to the normal use of hydrolases in water to convert fatty acid esters with lower water solubility into substances with higher water solubility. In any case, the additive must be suitable for use in combination with the present invention.
[0026]
Some of the suitable additives include builders, surfactants, enzymes, emulsifiers, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach enhancers, bleaches, alkaline sources, antibacterial agents, colorants, fragrances, fragrance precursors. , Finishing aid, lime soap dispersant, composition malodor suppressant, odor neutralizer, polymer dye migration inhibitor, crystal growth inhibitor, photographic bleach, heavy metal ion sequestering agent, anti-discoloring agent, antimicrobial agent, Antioxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers, electrolytes, pH adjusters, thickeners, abrasion agents, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and / Or its alkoxylate, foam stabilizing polymer, solvent, processing aid, fabric softening agent, fluorescent whitening agent, hydrophobizing agent, foaming or foaming inhibitor, foaming or foaming promoter, fabric softening agent, Antistatic agent, dye fixing agent, dye Anti-wearing agent, anti-clocking agent, wrinkle reducing agent, anti-wrinkle agent, fabric-pressing starch, soil release polymer, antifouling agent, sunscreen agent, anti-fading agent, water resistant agent, stain-proofing agent, And mixtures thereof, but are not limited thereto.
[0027]
The term “surfactant” conventionally refers to a substance that is surface active in either water, a lipophilic fluid, or a mixture of the two. Some exemplary surfactants include nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and silicone surfactants, as used in conventional aqueous detergent systems. Suitable nonionic surfactants include:
a) polyethylene oxide condensates of nonylphenol and myristyl alcohol as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,685,930, Kasprzak;
b) Aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate, R- (OCH₂CH₂)_aOH, a = 1-100, typically 12-40, and R = hydrocarbon residues of 8-20 carbon atoms, typically straight chain alkyl, including but not limited to . Examples include polyoxyethylene lauryl ether having 4 or 23 oxyethylene groups; polyoxyethylene cetyl ether having 2, 10, or 20 oxyethylene groups; 2, 10, 20, 21, or 100 oxyethylenes There are polyoxyethylene stearyl ethers having groups; polyoxyethylene (2), (10) oleyl ethers having 2 or 10 oxyethylene groups. Examples of commercially available products include, but are not limited to, Alphonic (ALFONIC), Brigi (BRIJ), Genapol (GENAPOL), Neodol (NEODOL), Sulphonic (SURFONIC), and Tricor (TRYCOL). See also Hill et al. US Pat. No. 6,013,683.
[0028]
Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, dialkyldimethylammonium salts having the formula:
R'R "N⁺(CH₃)₂X⁻
Wherein each R′R ″ is independently selected from the group consisting of 12-30 carbon atoms, or derived from tallow, coconut oil, or soybean, or X = chlorine or bromine. Examples include: didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), dihexadecyldimethylammonium chloride, dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide, dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride, dieicosyldimethylammonium chloride, didocosyldimethylammonium chloride, dicoconut dimethyl Examples include, but are not limited to, ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and commercially available examples include, but are not limited to, ADAGEN, ARQUAD, TOMAH, and VARIQUAT. See also Hill et al. US Pat. No. 6,013,683.
[0029]
Suitable silicone surfactants include, without limitation, polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes having a dimethylpolysiloxane hydrophobic moiety and one or more hydrophilic polyalkylene side chains, and having the following general formula: :
R¹-(CH₃)₂SiO-[(CH₃)₂SiO]_a― [(CH₃) (R¹) SiO]_b―Si (CH₃)₂-R¹
Wherein a + b is about 1 to about 50, preferably about 3 to about 30, more preferably about 10 to about 25, and each R¹Are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of methyl and poly (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide) copolymer groups having the general formula:
-(CH₂)_nO (C₂H₄O)_c(C₃H₆O)_dR²
At least one R¹Is a poly (ethylene oxide / propylene oxide) copolymer group, where n is 3 or 4, preferably 3; the sum of c (of all polyalkyleneoxy side groups) is from 1 to about 100, preferably about Having a value of 6 to about 100; the sum of d is 0 to about 14, preferably 0 to about 3, more preferably d is 0; the sum of c + d is about 5 to about 150, preferably Has a value of about 9 to about 100, and each R²Are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and acetyl groups, preferably hydrogen and methyl groups. Examples of these surfactants can be found in US Pat. No. 5,705,562 to Hill and US Pat. No. 5,707,613 to Hill.
[0030]
An example of this type of surfactant is the Silwet® surfactant available from CK Witco OSi Division of Danbury, Connecticut. . A typical Silwet surfactant is as follows.
[Table 1]

[0031]
Polyalkyleneoxy group (R¹) Has a molecular weight of about 10,000 or less. Preferably, the polyalkyleneoxy group has a molecular weight of about 8,000 or less, most preferably in the range of about 300 to about 5,000. Thus, the values of c and d can be numbers indicating molecular weights within these ranges. However, the polyether chain (R¹) Ethyleneoxy units (-C₂H₄The number of O) must be sufficient to make the polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane water-dispersible or water-soluble. When propyleneoxy groups are present in the polyalkyleneoxy chain, they can be randomly distributed in the chain or present as blocks. Preferred Silwet surfactants are L-7600, L-7602, L-7604, L-7605, L-7657, and mixtures thereof. In addition to surface activity, polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane surfactants can also provide other benefits to the fabric, such as antistatic benefits and flexibility.
[0032]
The preparation of polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes is well known in the art. The polyalkylene oxide polysiloxanes of the present invention can be prepared by the procedure disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,299,112.
[0033]
Another suitable silicone surfactant is SF-1488, available from GE silicone fluids.
[0034]
These and other surfactants suitable for use in combination with lipophilic fluids as additives are well known in the art, and more specifically Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. ), 3rd edition, volume 22, pages 360 to 379, "Surfactants and Detersive Systems". Further suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are outlined in US Pat. No. 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., Dec. 30, 1975, column 13, line 14 to column 16, line 6. Have been disclosed.
[0035]
The additive may also be an antistatic agent. Any suitable known antistatic agent used in the laundry and dry cleaning field is suitable for use in the methods and compositions of the present invention. Particularly suitable as antistatic agents are some of the fabric softeners that are known to provide an antistatic effect. For example, fabric softeners having aliphatic acyl groups having an iodine number of about 20, such as N, N-di (tallowoil-oxy-ethyl) -N, N-dimethylammonium methylsulfate. However, it is to be understood that the term antistatic agent is not limited to this portion of fabric softener and includes all antistatic agents.
[0036]
The additive may also be an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are well known in the chemical art. In essence, an emulsifier acts to combine two or more insoluble or semi-insoluble phases to provide a stable or metastable emulsion. In the claimed invention, it is preferred that the emulsifier serves a dual purpose that can act not only as an emulsifier but also as a treatment performance enhancer. For example, the emulsifier also acts as a surfactant, thereby enhancing cleaning performance. Both common emulsifiers and emulsifier / surfactants are commercially available.
[0037]
(Lipophilic fluid)
The lipophilic fluid herein is one in which a liquid phase is present under the operating conditions of the fabric article processing equipment, in other words, during the processing of the fabric article of the present invention. In general, such lipophilic fluids can be completely liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and can be easily melted solids, such as liquids at temperatures ranging from about 0 ° C to about 60 ° C. Or can include a mixture of liquid and vapor phases at ambient temperature and pressure, eg, 25 ° C., 1 atm. Thus, a lipophilic fluid is not a compressible gas such as carbon dioxide.
[0038]
The lipophilic fluids herein have non-flammability that is equal to or preferably above that of known conventional dry cleaning fluids, or have a relatively high flash point and / or low VOC (volatile organic). These terms have the conventional meaning as used in the dry cleaning industry.
[0039]
Furthermore, the preferred lipophilic fluids herein are easy to flow and are not viscous.
[0040]
In general, the lipophilic fluid herein needs to be a fluid that can at least partially dissolve sebum or body soils, as defined in the tests described later herein. Mixtures of lipophilic fluids are also suitable, provided that the lipophilic fluid contains any fraction of dry cleaning solvent, particularly a fluorinated solvent or perfluorinated amine, provided that the following lipophilic fluid test requirements are met: Newer types can be included. Some perfluorinated amines, such as perfluorotributylamine, are not suitable for use as lipophilic fluids, but are one of many potential additives that may be present in a lipophilic fluid-containing composition. May exist as
[0041]
Other suitable lipophilic fluids include diol solvent systems such as higher diols such as C6- or C8-, or higher diols, organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types, and the like. And mixtures thereof, but are not limited thereto.
[0042]
A preferred group of non-aqueous lipophilic fluids suitable for incorporation as a major component of the compositions of the present invention include low volatility non-fluorinated organics, silicones, especially those other than amino functional silicones, and mixtures thereof. It is done. Low volatility non-fluorinated organics include, for example, OLEAN® and other polyol esters, or certain relatively non-volatile biodegradable medium chain branched petroleum fractions.
[0043]
Another preferred group of non-aqueous lipophilic fluids suitable for incorporation as the main component of the compositions of the present invention include glycol ethers such as propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol t-butyl ether. , Propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol Although propylene glycol t-butyl ether and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether are mentioned, it is not limited to these. Suitable silicones used, for example, in excess of 50% as the main component of the composition include cyclopentasiloxane, sometimes referred to as “D5”, and / or approximately the same volatility, optional Linear analogs that are optionally supplemented by other compatible silicones. Suitable silicones are well known in the literature, see, for example, Kirkusmer's industrial chemistry encyclopedia. It is also available from a number of sources including General Electric, Toshiba Silicone Corp., Bayer, and Dow Corning. Other suitable lipophilic fluids can be purchased from Procter & Gamble, or Dow Chemical, and other sources.
[0044]
(Quality of lipophilic fluid and lipophilic fluid test (LF test))
Any non-aqueous fluid that can meet known requirements for dry cleaning fluids (eg, flash point, etc.) and can at least partially dissolve sebum as shown in the test methods below. It is suitable as a lipophilic fluid. As a general guideline, perfluorobutylamine (Fluorinert FC-43®) is itself a standard (with or without additives) and by definition the parent used in this specification. While not suitable as an oily fluid (essentially a non-solvent), cyclopentasiloxane has suitable sebum dissolving properties and dissolves sebum.
[0045]
The following are methods for investigating and qualifying other materials for use as lipophilic fluids, such as other low viscosity, free flowing silicones. This method consists of a commercially available Crisco® canola oil, oleic acid (purity 95%, available from Sigma Aldrich Co.) And squalane (99% purity, available from JTBaker). The test substance is substantially anhydrous and should not contain any added additives or other materials under evaluation.
[0046]
Prepare three vials and place one type of lipophilic stain in each vial. Place 1.0 g of canola oil in the first vial, 1.0 g of oleic acid (95%) in the second vial, and 1.0 g of squalane (99.9%) in the final third vial. Insert. In each vial is placed 1 g of the fluid to be tested for lipophilicity. In a standard stirred mixer at room temperature and normal pressure, each vial containing the lipophilic soil and fluid to be tested is mixed individually for a maximum of 20 seconds. Place the vial on the bench and stabilize at room temperature and pressure for 15 minutes. If a clear single phase is formed in any vial with lipophilic soil when stationary, the non-aqueous fluid is suitable for use as a “lipophilic fluid” according to the present invention. It is considered to be. However, if two or more separate phases are formed in all three vials, the non-aqueous fluid dissolved in the oil phase will be rejected before qualifying rejection or acceptance of the non-aqueous fluid. The amount needs to be measured further.
[0047]
In such a case, a 200 microliter sample is carefully withdrawn from each layer of each vial with a syringe. After determining the retention time of each of the three models, the soil and the calibration sample of the fluid being tested, the layer sampled with the syringe is placed in a GC autosampler vial and subjected to conventional GC analysis. If GC finds that the test fluid is present in any one of the oleic acid layer, canola oil layer, or squalane layer in excess of 1%, preferably more, the test fluid is also oleophilic fluid Eligible to use as If necessary, the method can be further calibrated using hepacosafluorotributylamine, ie, Fluorinert FC-43 (fail) and cyclopentasiloxane (pass). A suitable GC is a Hewlett Packard Gas Chromatograph HP5890 Series II equipped with a split / splitless injector and FID. A suitable column used to determine the abundance of lipophilic fluid is J & W Scientific's capillary column DB, 30 meter, 0.25 mm ID, 0.1 um film thickness, catalog number 1221131. -1HT. The GC is preferably operated under the following conditions:
Carrier gas: Hydrogen
Column head pressure: 9 psi (62 kPa)
Flow rate: Column flow rate @ ~ 1.5ml / min
Split Vent @ ~ 250 ~ 500ml / min
Septum purge @ 1 ml / min
Injection: HP7673 autosampler, 10 μl syringe, 1 μl injection
Injector temperature: 350 ° C
Detector temperature: 380 ° C
Oven temperature program: Start 60 ° C, hold for 1 minute
Speed 25 ° C / min
Final 380 ° C, hold for 30 minutes
Preferred lipophilic fluids suitable for use herein can be further qualified for use based on having superior garment care properties. Clothing care property tests are well known in the art and are qualified using a wide range of clothing or fabric article components including fabrics, threads, and elastics used for seams and various buttons Testing the fluid to be tested. Preferred lipophilic fluids for use herein have superior garment care properties. For example, it has good shrinkage and / or fabric crease properties and does not noticeably damage plastic buttons. For example, certain substances that are suitable for use as lipophilic fluids in the removal of sebum, such as ethyl lactate, are highly undesirable due to their tendency to dissolve buttons, such substances being compositions of the present invention. When used in, it is formulated with water and / or other materials so that the entire mixture does not substantially damage the button. Other lipophilic fluids such as D5 meet garment care requirements very well. Some suitable lipophilic fluids are given in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,852, 5,942,007, 6,042,617, 6,042,618, 6, 056,789, 6,059,845, and 6,063,135, which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0048]
Lipophilic fluids can include linear and cyclic polysiloxanes, hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, with the exception of PERC, which is not explicitly included by the definition of lipophilic fluids used herein. To do. (Specifically, DF2000 and PERC are excluded.) More preferred are linear and cyclic polysiloxanes and hydrocarbons of glycol ethers, acetate esters, and lactate esters. A preferred lipophilic fluid comprises a cyclic siloxane having a boiling point of about 250 ° C. or less at 760 mmHg. Particularly preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in the present invention are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. Preferably, the cyclic siloxane comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5, pentamer) and is substantially free of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer).
[0049]
However, it should be understood that useful cyclic siloxane mixtures may contain traces of other cyclic siloxanes in addition to the preferred cyclic siloxanes, such as octamethylcyclotetra Higher cyclics such as siloxane and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally, the amount of these other cyclic siloxanes useful in the cyclic siloxane mixture is less than about 10% by weight of the total mixture. In the industry standard for cyclic siloxane mixtures, such mixtures contain less than about 1% by weight of the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
[0050]
Accordingly, the lipophilic fluid of the present invention is preferably greater than about 50%, more preferably greater than about 75%, even more preferably at least about 90%, and most preferably at least about 95% by weight of the lipophilic fluid. Contains decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Alternatively, the lipophilic fluid is greater than about 50%, preferably greater than about 75%, more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least 95% to about 100%, by weight of the mixture of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. And less than about 10%, preferably less than about 5%, more preferably less than about 2%, even more preferably less than about 1%, most preferably less than about 0.5% to about 0% by weight of the mixture. It may also contain a siloxane that is a mixture of cyclic siloxanes with up to wt% octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and / or dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.
[0051]
The concentration of lipophilic fluid, when present in the lipophilic fluid-based fabric treatment composition of the present invention, is preferably about 70% to about 99.99% by weight of the lipophilic fluid-based fabric treatment composition, further Preferably from about 90% to about 99.9%, even more preferably from about 95% to about 99.8%.
[0052]
(Emulsion)
Some lipophilic and / or processing fluids may require at least some water to operate effectively and / or to remove hydrophilic soils. To minimize damage to the fabric, the emulsion may be formed using water, lipophilic fluid, and / or processing fluid, and optionally an emulsifier. Further, without intending to be bound by theory, water also functions as a carrier and / or activator for processing fluids that are less effective with lipophilic fluids alone. This water may be added at any point in the treatment process and / or in any order, or may be mixed with the lipophilic fluid and / or treatment fluid prior to application to the fabric.
[0053]
(Automatic operation)
The present invention is preferably automated so that the processing fluid is automatically applied only while the fabric load is moving. In this regard, the application device is coupled to a chamber or chamber motor within the device so that the application device does not operate while the chamber is not moving. Furthermore, the application device may be connected to the device control element so that a custom spray / tumbling cycle can be performed. The spray device may also be coupled to a fabric load size indicator so that the total volume and / or total application time of each processing fluid applied can be determined before or during operation of the application process. it can. An example of how one programmable logic controller is utilized to implement the application method of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and described below.
[Table 2]

[0054]
(Operation order):
1. The operator enters the load size (in pounds) into the load controller and starts the DC program. A load size indicator may also be connected to the load controller or PLC so that the operator does not need to enter the load size.
[0055]
2. When the DC reaches the spray cycle of the program, the PLC can start the program by the R0 repeater connected to R1 or R2.
[0056]
3. The PLC synchronizes the fluid spray and drum rotation by monitoring R1 and R2. When R1 and R2 are operating, the PLC energizes and sprays the valves and pumps, clears and keeps the system in a ready state.
[0057]
4). The load controller gives the PLC an input signal of how long the next cycle of R1 and R2 will continue. This in turn determines the time that the fluid is sprayed, and thereby the volume of fluid, depending on the size of the charge.
[0058]
5. Optionally, the processing fluid supply line between V1, V2 and the spray nozzle (s) is cleaned by closing V1 so that air cleans the processing fluid supply line and spray nozzle (s). Can be done. This optional procedure cleans the processing fluid supply line for future use or just prior to the application of another processing fluid.
[0059]
From the above example, the person skilled in the art should understand how to modify the apparatus, in this case the dry cleaning machine, in order to carry out the method of the invention. The nozzle in this example is placed in the “window” of the chamber door by adapting the nozzle and providing a new door inlet designed to replace the existing “window”. One skilled in the art can easily install the piping, fluid supply storage, and valves in the instrument if they are not already installed.
[0060]
The apparatus used in the present invention is conditioned on the fact that the treatment fluid can be applied to the fabric in the fabric treatment apparatus comprising the chamber by spraying the treatment fluid spray into the apparatus and onto the fabric only while the fabric is moving. It can be constructed and modified in any number of ways apparent to those skilled in the art. It is important to the present invention not to spray when not moving. This is one mechanism that avoids partial saturation of the fabric. That is, if the fabric article does not move in front of the spray outlet during the treatment fluid spray, only one area will be saturated, which is undesirable. The fact that other articles in the same charge are in little contact with the processing fluid, if any, makes the situation even worse.
[0061]
Preferably, the drum motion is a rotational motion of less than about 1G such that the fabric “tumbles” rather than “spins”. Preference is also given to drum movements comprising a clockwise rotational movement period and a counterclockwise rotational movement period. The bi-directional rotational motion can occur separately as with a conventional washing machine or simultaneously as with a counter-rotating machine. Also, the clockwise rotational movement lasts at least about 5 seconds, preferably at least about 5 seconds, long and about 20 seconds, and the counterclockwise rotational movement lasts at least about 5 seconds, preferably at least about 5 seconds, long and about 20 seconds. It is preferred that the period of inactivity during which no spray occurs and lasts at least about 1 second, preferably at least about 1 second, and at most about 5 seconds.
[0062]
In the manual implementation of the present invention, the operator activates the spray only when the fabric is tumbled to spray the processing fluid and monitors the entire processing fluid application cycle. However, to reduce manual effort and associated costs, the spray is preferably synchronized with the chamber or motor that provides chamber motion so that it does not spray automatically during periods of non-rotation. Once the chamber motion and / or motor is stuck, a signal can be sent to close the processing fluid supply valve, stop the applicator, or both.
[0063]
Some processing fluids may be expensive and must be used in calculated quantities to avoid wasting the cost effectiveness of the process. Other processing fluids may be undesirable in excess, regardless of cost. Thus, to determine the appropriate volume of total processing fluid to be sprayed, the equipment operator calculates the total amount of fluid to be sprayed based on the weight or size of the fabric load and the selected processing fluid. Furthermore, the operator designs a tumbling flow rate for spraying the required volume of processing fluid at a predetermined flow rate only while the fabric is tumbling. Alternatively, the operator can change the spray flow rate to accommodate a fixed tumbling flow rate. The process can be quite complex, especially when a series or combination of multiple processing fluids must be applied during a processing fluid application cycle.
[0064]
Thus, it is preferable to automate the device by adding a fabric loading size indicator if it is not already present in the device. The fabric load size indicator automatically determines the total volume of processing fluid to be applied to a particular fabric load and can be selected from an operator input panel and / or a fabric load scale. The operator input panel can select the load size on a qualitative basis such as small, medium, large, etc. or on a quantitative basis such as pounds. Obviously, the fabric load scale weighs the fabric load and provides the measured weight directly to the programmable logic controller. In either case, the programmable logic controller converts the fabric load size to the total amount of processing fluid by direct conversion to a fabric factor or algorithm using the processing fluid.
[0065]
As discussed in the “Application” section above, the spray parameters can vary in many ways. One preferred spray parameter relates to the spray reach length which is less than the approximate distance from the original spray point to the farthest chamber wall. Thus, most spray droplets do not arrive on the chamber wall; rather, the droplets dissipate and mix with the fabric article. In the above example where the spray nozzle is located at the door, the spray reach length is equal to or less than the distance from the nozzle outlet to the back of the horizontal drum.
[0066]
The reach length can be easily measured for many sprays and can be easily changed as well. A fabric-containing chamber can be compared to a three-dimensional geometry; in the case of a washing machine, it is typically a hollow cylinder. To ascertain the desired spray reach length, simply measure the distance of the farthest chamber wall in the applicator spray line from the set point of the spray applicator. The spray reach length is a function of the selected applicator (s), process fluid density and / or viscosity, process fluid supply pressure, and chamber internal gas shear forces. The spray reach length can be easily changed by those skilled in the art.
[0067]
Another preferred parameter is a treatment fluid spray having a median droplet size of about 1 μm to about 300 μm, more preferably 5 μm to about 300 μm, and most preferably about 5 μm to about 50 μm. One preferred method of generating a spray is to use a gas assist nozzle and gas to convert the processing fluid to a processing fluid spray. The gas auxiliary nozzle is preferably operated at a pressure of about 5 psi (34 kPa) to about 80 psi (550 kPa), more preferably about 20 psi (140 kPa) to about 30 psi (210 kPa). The most preferred gases are nitrogen, air, steam, and combinations thereof.
[0068]
Another preferred spray generation method is to use a pressure atomizer to convert the processing fluid to a processing fluid spray. Pressure atomizers are discussed in the “Application” section herein. A third preferred spray generation method is a high volume ultrasonic atomizer.
[0069]
Processing fluids suitable for use in the present invention include those discussed in the subsection “Processing fluids” herein, as well as perfumes, enzymes, bleaches, surfactants, emulsifiers, fabric softeners. , Antibacterial agent, antistatic agent, whitening agent, dye fixing agent, dye antiwear agent, anti-clocking agent, wrinkle reducing agent, anti-wrinkle agent, dirt release polymer, sunscreen agent, anti-fading agent, water resistant agent, stain Examples include anti-stain agents, anti-stain agents, and mixtures thereof.
[0070]
The invention also relates to an apparatus capable of performing at least all of the methods described above. The device should apply the treatment fluid to the fabric by spraying the treatment fluid spray into the device only while the fabric is moving. The apparatus includes at least one chamber for containing the fabric, at least one chamber rotation providing motor mechanically coupled to the chamber so as to provide rotational motion to the chamber, and a treatment fluid spray to the chamber. At least one applicator for converting the processing fluid into a processing fluid spray, arranged in the apparatus so as to be able to supply, by at least one processing fluid conduit so as to supply the processing fluid to the applicator for converting into a processing fluid spray At least one processing fluid supply connected to the applicator for containing the processing fluid, and the chamber so that the applicator can be activated and deactivated to automatically stop the processing fluid spray during chamber inactivity Or chamber times Comprising at least one synchronization element for synchronizing the chamber motion or chamber rotates provide motor and spray electrically or mechanically linked in a device to provide a motor.
[0071]
Similar to the method, the apparatus preferably includes a fabric load indicator to determine the total amount of processing fluid to be sprayed. This is preferably an element selected from the group comprising a weight scale, load controller, operator input, and combinations thereof. The method of using the fabric loading size indicator is as discussed above.
[0072]
As with the above method, device synchronization is preferably automated to minimize manual effort. Preferably the synchronization performance comprises an element selected from the group consisting of a programmable logic controller and / or a rotary motion indicator coupled to either the chamber or the chamber rotation providing motor. The synchronization method is performed as discussed above.
[0073]
Preferred applicators include pressure atomizers, gas auxiliary nozzles, and ultrasonic atomizers. If a gas auxiliary nozzle is selected, the apparatus further includes at least one gas conduit and at least one gas supply. The gas conduit couples the gas supply to the applicator so that the gas can be transported to the applicator to spray the process fluid and help the process fluid spray to travel to the chamber. The gas conduit can be any suitable fluid line for transporting pressurized gas and can be selected by one skilled in the art. The gas supply can be a typical “tank type” of the supply or can be generated in the apparatus. Air compressors and nitrogen and steam generation units are well known in the industry. When utilizing a gas auxiliary nozzle, the gas conduit is preferably operated at a pressure of about 5 psi (34 kPa) to about 80 psi (550 kPa), more preferably about 20 psi (140 kPa) to about 30 psi (210 kPa).
[0074]
It will be appreciated that the present invention may be combined with other fabric treatments. For example, the fabric article may be subjected to the particle removal method described in co-pending application 60 / 191,965 filed March 24, 2000 by Noyes et al.
[0075]
The present invention provides services such as dry cleaning services, diaper services, uniform cleaning services, or linen services that are part of coin laundry, dry cleaners, hotels, restaurants, convention centers, airports, tourist boats, port facilities, casinos. It may be used for such commercial business or at home.
[0076]
The present invention may also be practiced in an apparatus having a “reverse rotating” drum. A counter-rotating drum is a two-piece split drum in which half of the drums can simultaneously rotate in the opposite direction to the other half of the drum. The reverse rotation operation is an effective mechanism for randomly rearranging the position of the fabric article in the drum. These devices are commercially available from companies such as Dyson.
[0077]
The present invention may be implemented by an apparatus capable of “dual mode” functionality. A “dual mode” device is one that can both wash and dry the fabric in the same chamber. These devices are widely available, especially in Europe.
[0078]
The present invention is a modified existing device and may be implemented with an improved device so that the method of the present invention can be performed in addition to the related methods.
[0079]
Ultimately, the present invention is not a modification of an existing device, but may be used with a device that is specially constructed to perform the method of the present invention. This includes any associated plumbing such as chemical and / or water supply and connection to sewage equipment of the waste fluid.
[0080]
The apparatus used in the method of the present invention typically contains some sort of control system. These include electrical systems such as more traditional electromechanical systems as well as so-called smart control systems. The control system allows the user to select the size of the fabric load to be processed, the processing type, and the processing cycle time. Alternatively, the user can use a preset processing cycle or can control the length of the cycle based on any number of parameters that the device can identify. This is especially true for electrical control systems.
[0081]
For electrical control systems, one option is to make the control device a so-called “smart device”. This can include a self-diagnosis system, load type and cycle selection, the user can remotely start the device by connecting the device to the Internet, and notify when the device has processed the fabric article, or if the device fails, This includes, but is not limited to, the supplier remotely diagnosing the problem. Moreover, if the apparatus of the present invention is merely part of a cleaning system, a so-called “smart system” is another cleaning apparatus used to complete the rest of the cleaning process, such as a washing machine or dryer. Can be contacted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0082]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a programmable logic controller that can be used to implement the method of application of the present invention.

Claims (18)

A method of processing a plurality of fabric articles contained within a chamber of a fabric processing apparatus, wherein the fabric treatment fluid is applied to the plurality of fabric articles while the plurality of fabric articles are moving such that the plurality of fabric articles are processed. A method comprising a step of applying to the method. The fabric treatment fluid is in contact with the plurality of fabric articles in the form of a spray or mist, preferably the fabric treatment fluid is in the form of a spray having a median droplet size of 5 μm to 300 μm, more preferably the fabric treatment. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid has a median droplet size of 5 μm to 50 μm. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion is a rotational motion of less than 1G. The movement includes a clockwise rotational movement period and a counterclockwise rotational movement period, and a transition period between the two rotational movement periods is a non-motion period. Preferably, during the non-motion period, the fabric treatment fluid Not applied to fabric articles, preferably the clockwise rotational movement period lasts at least 5 seconds, the counterclockwise rotational movement period lasts at least 5 seconds, the non-motion period lasts at least 1 second, more preferably the clockwise rotation The method of claim 1, wherein the period of rotational movement lasts from 5 seconds to 20 seconds, the counterclockwise rotational movement period lasts from 5 seconds to 20 seconds, and the period of no movement lasts from 1 second to 5 seconds. The movement of the plurality of fabric articles is due to the movement of the fabric article-containing chamber, preferably the step of contacting the plurality of fabric articles with the fabric treatment fluid when the fabric-containing chamber is in a non-moving state. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of contacting the plurality of fabric articles with the fabric treatment fluid is synchronized with the movement of the fabric-containing chamber so that it automatically stops. A fabric load size indication for determining a load size of the plurality of fabric articles so that the fabric treatment apparatus can automatically determine an overall volume of the fabric treatment fluid to be applied to the plurality of fabric articles. The method of claim 1, further comprising a vessel. The method of claim 5, wherein the fabric-containing chamber is counter-rotatable. The method of claim 1, wherein the fabric treatment fluid is applied into the fabric-containing chamber from a fabric treatment fluid source in a manner such that the fabric treatment fluid is retained within the volume of the fabric-containing chamber. The method of claim 1, wherein a gas auxiliary nozzle and gas are used to convert the fabric treatment fluid into a spray or mist form, preferably the gas auxiliary nozzle is 5 psi (34 kPa) to 80 psi (550 kPa), More preferably, the method is operated at a pressure of 20 psi (140 kPa) to 30 psi (210 kPa), and preferably the gas is selected from the group consisting essentially of nitrogen, air, steam, and combinations thereof. The method of claim 1, wherein a pressure atomizer is used to convert the fabric treatment fluid into a spray or mist form. The fabric treatment fluid is a fragrance, enzyme, bleach, surfactant, emulsifier, fabric softener, antibacterial agent, antistatic agent, whitening agent, dye fixing agent, dye antiwear agent, anticlocking agent, wrinkle reducing agent The method of claim 1 comprising a component selected from an agent, an anti-wrinkle agent, a soil release polymer, a sunscreen agent, an anti-fading agent, a water resistant agent, an anti-stain agent, an anti-stain agent, and mixtures thereof. A plurality of fabric articles treated by the method of claim 1. A fabric treatment system,
a. A chamber for receiving a plurality of fabric articles to be treated;
b. A motion feeder associated with the chamber for imparting motion to the plurality of fabric articles when the plurality of fabric articles are contained within the chamber;
c. An applicator associated with the chamber for applying a fabric treatment fluid to the plurality of fabric articles when the plurality of fabric articles are contained within the chamber, and only while the plurality of fabric articles are moving A fabric treatment system in which the motion supply and the applicator are in communication such that the applicator applies the fabric treatment fluid to the plurality of fabric articles. A fabric treatment device,
a. A chamber for receiving a plurality of fabric articles to be treated;
b. A motion feeder mechanically associated with the chamber so as to provide rotational motion to the chamber;
c. An applicator mechanically associated with the chamber for applying a fabric treatment fluid to the chamber, wherein the motion is such that the applicator applies the fabric treatment fluid to the chamber only while the chamber is moving. A fabric treatment apparatus in which a feeder and the applicator are in communication. Further comprising a fabric loading size element for determining a loading size of the plurality of fabric articles received by the chamber so that a total volume of the fabric treatment fluid to be applied to the plurality of fabric articles can be determined. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the fabric loading size element is selected from the group consisting essentially of a weight scale, load controller, operator input, and combinations thereof. A device wherein the motion supply and applicator are in communication with each other via a synchronization element, the synchronization element being connected to either the chamber or the motion supply, a programmable logic controller, a rotational motion The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of an indicator and combinations thereof. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the applicator is a pressure atomizer. The apparatus further includes at least one gas conduit connecting at least one gas supply and the applicator, wherein the applicator is at least one gas auxiliary nozzle, preferably the gas conduit is between 5 psi (34 kPa) and 80 psi. (550 kPa), more preferably operating at a pressure of 20 psi (140 kPa) to 30 psi (210 kPa), preferably the gas supply is configured to deliver a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, air, steam, and combinations thereof. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus is supplied.

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