MXPA00002024A - Bagless dry cleaning kits and processes for dry cleaning - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for dry cleaning fabrics comprising the steps of:(i) placing one or more fabrics to be cleaned in a device which provides heat and agitation;(ii) placing one or more carrier sheets in the device wherein the carrier sheets have about 200 grams of a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition releasably absorbed therein;(iii) heating the air within the device to at least about 130°F (55°C);and (iv) agitating the fabrics and the carrier sheets until at least about 40%by weight of the liquid cleaning/refreshment composition from the carrier sheets has been evaporated and vented from the device. There is further provided a kit for dry cleaning fabrics comprising:one or more carrier sheets;and from about 200 grams to about 1,000 grams of a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition, wherein the one or more carrier sheets can absorb at least about 200 grams of the liquid cleaning/refreshment composition.

Description

DRY CLEANING EQUIPMENT WITHOUT BAG AND PROCEDURES FOR DRY CLEANING FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to bagless dry cleaning equipment comprising one or more carrier sheets and a liquid cleaning / freshness composition. Optionally, the kits comprise a stain removal composition and an absorbent stain receiving article. The present invention further comprises methods for dry cleaning cloth articles and the like without the need for a containment bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By classical definition, the term "dry cleaning" has been used to describe procedures for cleaning textiles using non-aqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old technique, with the cleaning solvent first registered in the United Kingdom in the 1860s. Typically, dry cleaning procedures are used with garments such as wool that undergo shrinkage in aqueous baths for laundry, or that are judged to be too valuable or too delicate to undergo aqueous laundry procedures. Several hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in immersion dry cleaning procedures, the need to control and reclaim said solvents has mainly restricted the practice of conventional dry cleaning to commercial establishments. In addition to the cleaning function, dry cleaning also provides important "freshness" benefits. For example, dry cleaning removes undesirable odors and foreign matter such as hair and lint from garments, which are usually folded or pressed to remove wrinkles and restore their original shape. One type of domestic dry cleaning system comprises a carrier sheet containing several cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The bag can be sealed in a manner that is substantially air-tight or the bag can be ventilated with steam. The garments to be cleaned are sealed in the bag together with the sheet, and then placed in a conventional garment dryer. In a commercial embodiment, single use multiple flat sheets and a single multipurpose plastic bag are provided in a package. However, the bag requires storage between uses and can substantially increase the cost of dry cleaning equipment. In addition, the bag restricts the number / volume of items that can be dry cleaned. It has been believed in the dry cleaning industry that a containment bag was necessary for the dry cleaning of the fabric articles in a conventional garment dryer due to the high air flow rate through conventional dryers. The bag serves to contain the water vapor, which evaporates from the carrier sheets due to heat in the clothes dryer, so that the water vapor can remain in contact with the fabric / garment articles being cleaned in. dry, thus providing perfume and other beneficial agents. It has been believed that without a bag the evaporated water vapor would be forced out of the air flow in the clothes dryer, prematurely drying the fabric articles before the cleaning / freshness function is completed. Therefore, there is a need for a dry cleaning process that removes the containment bag while simultaneously providing the same cleaning, freshness and garment protection functions of the above dry cleaning procedures. Additionally, there is a need for a dry cleaning equipment that provides the articles and compositions necessary to comply with the dry cleaning procedures described herein.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Dry cleaning procedures are described in: US patent. 5,547,476 issued on 8/20/96 to Sikiosi & Roetker; E.U.A. ,591, 236, issued on 1/7/97 to Roetker; patent of E.U.A. 5,630,847 issued on 5/20/97 to Roetker; patent of E.U.A. 5,630,848 issued on /20/97 to Young, et al., Patent of E.U.A. 5,632,780 issued on 5/27/97 to Sikiosi; application of EP 429,172A1, published on 05/29/91, Leigh, et al .; and patent of E.U.A. 5,238,587, issued on 8/24/93; Smith, et al. Other references that relate to dry cleaning compositions and procedures, as well as wrinkle treatments for cloth articles include: GB Patent 1, 598, 911; and patents of E.U.A. 4,126,563, 3,949,137, 3,593,544, 3,647,354: 3,432,253 and 1,747,324; and German applications 2,021,561 and 2,460,239, 0,208,989 and 4,007,362. Carrier sheet substrates for use in the laundry dryer are described in Canadian Patent No. 1,005,204, U.S. Patents. 3,956,556 and 4,007,300 related to perforated sheets for conditioning fabrics in a garment dryer. Additionally, the patent of US Pat. No. 4,692,277 describes the use of 1,2-octanediol in liquid cleaners. See also patents of E.U.A. 3,591, 510; 3,737,387; 3,764,544; 3,882,038; 3,907,496; 4,097,397; 4,102,824; 4,336,024; 4,606,842; 4,758,641; 4,797,310; 4,802,997; 4,943,392; 4,966,724; 4,983,317; 5,004,557; 5,062,973; 5,080,822; 5,173,200; EP 0 213 500; EP 0 261 718; G.B. 1, 397,475; WO 91/09104; WO 91/13145; WO 93/25654 and Hunt, D.G. and N.H. Morris, "PnB and DPnB Glycol Ethers", HAPPI, April 1989, pp. 78-82. Absorbent stain-receiving articles are preferably made from certain types of "TBAL" structures that are described in the US patent. 4,640,810, issued February 3, 1987 to H. Laursen, et al. The use of such structures in diapers and feminine hygiene products is described, for example, in the U.S.A. 5,264,268, * A * AA issued on 11/23/93 to Luceri, et al .; 5,364,382, issued on 11/15/94 to Latimer, at al .; 5,525,407 issued to Yang on 11/6/96; 5,569,226 issued on 10/29/96 to Cohen, et al .; 4,578,070, issued on 3/25/96 to Holtman; 3,375,827, issued on 4/2/68 to Bletzinger; and 4,798,603, issued on 1/17/89 to Meyer, et al. The cleaning / pretreatment compositions and methods are also described, for example, in the U.S.A. 5,102,573; 5,041, 230; 4,909,962; 4,115,061; 4,886,615; 4,139,475, 4,849,257; 5,112,358; 4,659,496; 4,806,254; 5,213,624; 4,130,392 and 4,395, 261.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a bagless dry cleaning equipment and a method for drying fabric articles and the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, equipment for dry cleaning cloth articles and the like is provided where the equipment comprises: one or more carrier sheets; and from about 200 grams to about 1,000 grams of a liquid cleaning / freshness composition; wherein one or more carrier sheets can absorb at least about 200 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the equipment further comprises an absorbent spot receiving article and a pretreatment composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for . ta-t.-. aaáá:; »ia ',": g¿les «-» .-. sagat * - »» * > - »<» a_- «?« iWa ^ r ^ v ~. dry cleaning cloth articles and the like, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (i) placing one or more fabric articles to be cleaned in a device that provides heat and agitation; (ii) placing one or more carrier sheets in the device wherein the carrier sheets have about 200 grams of a liquid cleaning / freshness composition removably absorbed therein; (iii) heating the air in the device to at least about 40 ° C; and (iv) shaking the fabric articles and the carrier sheets until at least about 40% by weight of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition of the carrier sheets has evaporated and expelled from the device. In a preferred aspect, for treatment garments with localized spots, a method of the present invention further comprises the steps of: (i) placing a localized soiled area of the fabric articles on and in contact with the absorbent stain receiving article.; (ii) applying sufficient pretreatment composition to the fabric article to saturate the localized soiled area; (iii) allowing the composition to penetrate the spot for a predetermined period; (iv) removing the cloth article from contact with the absorbent stain article. The equipment and methods of the present invention provide the convenience and economic advantages of the domestic dry cleaning system while simultaneously eliminating the need for a bulky, expensive and restrictive bag. It has surprisingly been discovered that through the selection and proper size of the carrier sheet, so that the appropriate amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition can be delivered to the clothes dryer and the fabric articles that are to be dry clean, you can remove the bag from the previous dry cleaning procedures. In addition, the entire volume of a conventional garment dryer can be used to dry clean cloth articles and the like using the equipment and methods of the current invention. Additionally, by adding a sufficient amount in the liquid cleaning / freshness composition to the garment dryer, the fabric articles to be cleaned can be washed without adding new wrinkles to the fabric articles. In addition, pre-existing wrinkles in fabrics can be removed by using dry cleaning equipment and methods of the present invention. s? ^^ j &B- ^ g ^^^^ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that liquid cleaning / freshness compositions can be loaded onto a carrier substrate, or "carrier sheet", such that a woven or nonwoven garment or towel is placed in a heated garment dryer, or the like, to Remove odors from cloth items as an alternative to dry cleaning or "cloth freshness" procedure. The warm, humid environment created within the garment dryer, or other drying device capable of providing a warm environment while simultaneously stirring the fabric articles to be cleaned, volatilizes the malodorous components in the form of a drying process. "steam distiion", while moisturizing fabrics and stains on them. The wetting of the fabrics can eliminate pre-existing wrinkles, but it has now been discovered that the overwetted cloth articles can experience the appearance of new wrinkles during the drying stage towards the end of the drying cycle. The proper selection of the amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition used in the process and, importantly, adequate ventilation of the drying device in the current form can lead to minimal wrinkling. In addition, if the drying device is not sufficiently ventilated, volatile malodorous materials removed from the fabric articles may undesirably deposit therein again. The amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition used, the temperature of the drying operation, the amount of air flow through the drying device and the amount of time that the dry-washed fabric articles are stirred, play a important role in the dry-cleaning procedures described herein. For example, the addition of too much liquid cleansing / freshness composition to the drying device will excessively wet the fabric articles, resulting in wrinkling. Likewise, the addition of very little amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition to the drying device will not sufficiently wet fabric articles or spots to mobilize odors or remove wrinkles from pre-existing fabrics. In addition, operation of the drying device at a very high temperature and / or a very high air flow rate will tend to volatilize and expel the liquid washing / freshness composition before the desired cleaning / freshness benefits are achieved. As can be seen, the objective here is to operate in the region that minimizes the formation of new wrinkles and removes wrinkles that are already present in the garments prior to treatment. further, with respect to malodour, it is preferred to provide sufficient liquid cleaning / freshness composition (grams of liquid composition / substrate freshness) to achieve substantial removal of malodour. In practice, the above means that the dry cleaning methods described herein, which operate without a containment bag of the above dry cleaning systems, require that a substantially greater amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition be added. to cloth items that are going to be dry cleaned. Satisfactory results can be obtained by adding about 200 to about 1,000 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition. Less liquid can be used, but wrinkles will not be removed efficiently from the fabric items and the removal of bad odor will be lacking. Too much liquid, for example, more than about 1,000 grams, will cause additional wrinkles to begin to form in the fabric articles. Optionally, to reduce the amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition that must be added to the drying device while maintaining the desired cleaning / freshness benefits described herein, the amount of air flow through the device can be regulated. drying For example, reducing the air flow rate through the drying device necessarily reduces the amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition that will be removed / vented therein. Therefore, the liquid cleaning / freshness composition will have a longer residence time in the dryer and subsequently a lower amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition will be necessary. The flow of air through the drying device can be regulated / restricted in various ways known to those skilled in the art. Specifically, a simple butterfly valve in the vent line can regulate the amount of air flow through the dryer, as well as any other method to partially block the vent line of a dryer. The adjustment of the fan speed is another alternative and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The necessary amount of liquid cleaning / freshness composition can also be reduced by recycling part or most of the air outlet of the dryer back into the inlet air stream of the dryer, thereby maintaining the ventilated humidity of the dryer and reducing the rate of evaporation of carrier substrate. This type of dryer operation is currently used in certain "condensation" type dryers that are used commercially in Europe. The demand for liquid can also be reduced by eliminating or diverting the condenser commonly used in the recycle stream of condensation type dryers. With respect to these considerations, it has been observed that the carrier sheets, which are described in more detail below, should not be saturated with the liquid compositions herein which are already wetted by "runoff". If it becomes excessively wet ("run-off"), the transfer of localized water to fabric items that are being cleaned and refreshed can cause the appearance of wrinkles. Although it is believed that a larger carrier substrate can be used to provide more liquid capacity, this can be self-limiting. The carrier sheets that are not very large can become entangled with the fabric articles being cleaned / refreshed, again resulting in excessive localized wetting of the fabric articles. Therefore, if it is desirable : -,..., SITA ¿?? & i add more liquid cleaning composition / device freshness dryer is often preferred to add more than a carrier sheet rather than increasing the size of the sheet. Accordingly, while the carrier sheets used herein are optimal for dryer sizes as noted above, their sizes can, without undue experimentation, appropriately set for the capabilities of larger or smaller cylinder dryer. To achieve the benefits of cleaning / desired freshness, the present invention requires one or more carrier sheets, of about 200 grams to about 1, 000 grams of a liquid cleaning composition / freshness. Additionally, one or more carrier sheets must be capable of absorbing at least about 200 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition. Cloth items, when removed from the dryer, will usually contain a certain amount of additional moisture. The above will vary by the type of fabric. For example, the silk treated on the optimum scale of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition may contain from about 0.05% to about 2.5% by weight, of added moisture. The wool may contain about 4% by weight of added moisture. The rayon may also contain about 4% by weight of added moisture. The foregoing does not refer to the fact that cloth articles are necessarily "wet" to the touch. Conversely, cloth items may feel fresh, or cool-damp due to evaporative water losses. The cloth items secured in this way can be hung to dry with the air, thus preventing wrinkles from reestablishing. If desired, the cloth items can be ironed or subjected to other finishing procedures, according to the wishes of the user. The following is intended to assist the formulator in the manufacture and use of equipment and methods of this invention, but is not intended to be limiting thereof.

Evaluation vent by steam In its broadest sense, the methods of this invention are designed to be able to ventilate at least about 40% at least about 99% by weight, and preferably at least about 60 % at least about 90% by weight, of the total humidity introduced in the drying device or other hot air apparatus during the operation cycle. "Cycle of operation", as used herein, refers to the time required to vent the desired amount of moisture in the drying device. Obviously, most, if not all, organic cleaning solvents will be vented with water. However, although water comprises the largest portion of liquid cleaning / freshness compositions herein, it is more convenient to measure and report ventilation as steam ventilation. The determination of the percentage of humidity remaining in the dryer, which subsequently determines the end point of the circle of ^^^. ^ A ^^^^^^ ¿l ^^ '^ í ^ ^^^^ operation can be achieved by a variety of known in the art analytical tools. For example, as the cloth articles in the conventional garment dryer begin to dry, the temperature in the dryer begins to rise. When the temperature rises above the fixation point, the garments are considered dry. The fixing point can be adjusted at the end of the drying cycle to the desired humidity level as described above. There are other more suitable methods to determine the water vapor content that is currently available in conventional garment dryers. Specifically, several dryers currently employ a system of two permanently fixed metal strips to a non-rotating dryer wall. As the garments pass over said strips, the moisture of the garments is deposited in them. Moisture forms a bridge in a space between the two strips, completing in this way an electrical circuit that can be detected electronically. As clothes dry, the circuit is completed less frequently. Therefore, the percentage of moisture remaining in the fabric articles being washed can be determined adequately and consequently the cycle time of operation can be adjusted. It will be appreciated by those who are familiar with the operation of current hot air garment dryers and similar apparatuses that the ventilation speed is usually not constant during the entire operating cycle. All dryers have a warm-up period at the beginning of the operation cycle and this can vary according to the specifications i Mili - ^, fagttaiSMn < »A? Fe6 & M *. manufacturer. Most dryers have a cooling period at the end of the operation cycle. A certain amount of ventilation of the drying device may occur during such periods of heating and cooling, but its speed is generally less than the ventilation speed during the main period of the drying cycle. In addition, during the main period of the cycle, many modern dryers are built with thermostat structures that cause the temperature of the air in the dryer to increase and reduce periodically, thus avoiding overheating. In this way, an average, rather than a constant, of the dryer operating temperature on the target scale of about 50 ° C to about 85 ° C is typically achieved. However, a dryer can be designed to use two dry cleaning equipment and methods of the present invention and which operates at lower temperatures such as from about 40 ° C to about 70 ° C. In addition, the user of the current equipment and procedures may select to stop the operation of the drying device before the cycle has been completed. Some users may wish to secure cloth items that are still slightly damp, so that they can be easily ironed, hung to dry, or subjected to other finishing operations. In addition to the time used, the percentage of the total humidity ventilated for any type of drying device will depend mainly on the temperature achieved inside the dryer, which, as noted above, is typically reported as an average "dryer air temperature" . In fact, due to the turning action achieved by conventional garment dryers, it is a reasonable approximation to measure the percentage of ventilated humidity with reference to the average dryer air temperature. In addition, it will be appreciated that steam ventilation of the drying device should not be too fast, since the liquid cleaning / freshness composition does not have the opportunity to moisten the cloth articles being treated and to mobilize and remove the dirt / bad smells of them. In fact, the preferred methods are designed to prevent premature venting, thereby allowing the liquid and vapors in the cleaning / freshness composition to remain within the drying device for a period that is long enough to carry out its intended functions in the cloth items that are being treated.

Carrier sheets The carrier sheets are used to conveniently transport the liquid cleaning / freshness composition defined later to the drying device, so that the compositions perform their function. The carrier sheets releasably contain the compositions. "Contains releasably" means that the compositions are effectively released from the carrier as they evaporate in the heated environment of the drying device and to a lesser extent by physical contact with the fabric articles being cleaned. The carrier can be any desired shape, such as powders, wafers, filaments and the like. However, it will be appreciated that crushed carrier facts will have to be separated from the fabric articles at the end of the process. Accordingly, it is highly preferred that the carrier be in the form of an integral pad or sheet that substantially maintains its structural integrity during the process. Said pads or sheets can be prepared, for example, using well-known methods for the manufacture of non-woven sheets, paper towels, fibrous cottons, bandage cores, diapers and feminine towels, and the like, using materials such as wood pulp, cotton, rayon, polyester fibers and mixtures thereof. Woven garment pads can also be used, but they are not preferred over non-woven pads due to cost considerations. The integral carrier pads or sheets may also be prepared from natural or synthetic sponges, foams and the like. The carriers are designed to be safe and effective under the intended operating conditions of the present procedure. The carriers should not be flammable during the procedure, nor should they interact in a harmful way with the cleaning or freshness composition or with the fabric articles being cleaned. In general, non-woven polyester-based pads or sheets are very suitable for ^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ g ^^ g ^^^^^^^^ A ^^^ g ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ g ^^^^^ f ^^ - its use in the carrier of this. The carrier used herein most preferably does not form lint. "That does not form fluff" refers herein to the wearer resisting the spreading of the fibers or microfibers visible in the fabric articles being cleaned, for example, the deposition in what is known in the common speech as "fluff". A carrier can be easily and adequately judged by its acceptability with respect to its qualities without lint formation by rubbing it on a dark blue wool garment piece and visually inspecting the garment for lint waste. The lint-free qualities of the sheet or pad carriers used herein can be achieved by various methods, including but not limited to: preparing the carrier of a single filament or fiber; commonly employing known spinning techniques used with non-woven materials, for example, point-spun, print-spinning, adhesive / resin saturation spinning, adhesive / resin spray spinning, needle spinning and spinning with binder fibers. In an alternate mode, a carrier can be prepared using an absorbent core, said core becoming a material that, by itself, spreads the fluff. The core is then covered with a sheet of porous material, which does not form lint that has a pore size that allows the passage of cleaning or freshness compositions, but through which the fluff of the core can not pass. An example of such a carrier comprises a core of cellulose fiber or polyester covered in a non-polyester fabric. tissue. The carrier should have a size that provides a sufficient surface area that allows rapid evaporation of the water and other ingredients as described herein, e.g., perfume. Obviously, the size of the carrier should not be too large, so that it can be handled by the user. Typically, the dimensions of the carrier will be sufficient to provide a microscopic surface area (both sides of the carrier) wherein at least one or more carrier sheets have an aggregate surface area of about 1500 cm2 to about 40,000 cm2. For example, a rectangular carrier may have the dimensions (X direction) of about 40 cm about 80 cm (Y direction) of about 40 cm to about 80 cm. Two or more smaller carrier sheets may be used with a larger surface area if desired (or required) as described herein. The carrier is intended to contain a sufficient amount of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition to be effective for the intended purpose. The capacity of the carrier for said compositions will vary according to the intended use. For example, pads or sheets that are intended for a single use will require less capacity than said pads or sheets intended for multiple uses. For a given type of carrier, the capacity for the cleaning or freshness composition will vary mainly with the thickness or "calibrator" (Z-direction; dry basis) of the sheet or pad. For purposes of illustration, the typical single-use polyester sheets used herein will have a thickness in the scale of about 0.1 mm to about 0.7 mm and a basis weight on the scale of about 30 g / m2 to about 100 g / m2. The typical multi-use polyester pads herein will have a thickness in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm and a basis weight on the scale of about 40 g / m2 to about 150 g / m2. The open cell sponge sheets will vary in thickness of about 0.1 mm about 1.0 mm. Obviously, the above dimensions may vary, as long as the desired amount of cleaning or freshness composition is effectively provided by the carrier. A presently preferred carrier comprises a hydroentangled absorbent material without binder (or optional low binder), especially a material that is formulated from a mixture of cellulosic fibers, rayon, polyester and optional bicomponents. Such materials are available from Dexter, Non-Wovens Division, The Dexter Corporation as well as HYDRASPUN®, especially Grade 10244 and 10444. The manufacture of such materials is not part of this invention and is described in the literature. See, for example, US patents. 5,009,747, Viazmensky, et al., April 23, 1991 and 5,292,581 Viazmensky et al., March 8, 1994, incorporated herein by reference. As a completely optional form, the carrier sheet may also have perforated holes in order to further maximize its ability to maintain an open configuration in use. In fact, holes can be drilled throughout the article, including the cover sheet itself. For an article having the overall dimensions of about 40 cm x 40 cm, 20 round holes, each about 1.27 cm in diameter, are evenly separated on the HYDRASPUN® carrier sheet. Slots or other perforations can be used in the same way. Preferred materials for use herein have the following physical properties.

Dexter Corp. Grade 10244 * DM.- machine address; DC- cross direction As described in the patents of E.U.A. 5,009,747 and 5,292,281, the hydroentanglement process provides a non-woven material suitable for use as a carrier sheet comprising cellulosic fibers, and preferably at least about 5% by weight of synthetic fibers, and requires less than 2% strength agent. resistance against moisture to achieve improved strength and hardness against moisture. Surprisingly, said hydroentangled carrier is not merely a passive absorbent for the cleaning and / or freshness compositions herein, but optimizes the cleaning performance. Although not intended to be limited by theory, it is speculated that such a carrier is more effective in supplying the compositions to soiled fabrics. Said particular carrier can be better for removing dirt by contact with dirty fabrics, due to its mixture of fibers. Whatever the reason, dry cleaning performance is assured. In addition to improved performance, it has now been discovered that the hydroentangled carrier material provides an unexpected additional benefit due to its elasticity. In use, the sheets at present are designed to operate in a substantially open configuration. However, the sheets can be packaged and sold to the consumer in a folded configuration. It has been found that carrier sheets made of conventional materials tend to undesirably revert to their folded configuration in use. Said undesirable attribute can be overcome by piercing said sheet, but this requires an additional processing step. It has now been discovered that the hydroentangled materials used to form the carrier sheet herein tend not to be doubled again during use, and thus do not require such perforations (although evidently, perforations may be used, if desired). In Accordingly, said attribute of the hydroentangled carrier materials herein makes them optimal for use in the form of the present invention.

Controlled Release Carriers 5 Other carriers that can be used in the present invention are characterized by their ability to absorb liquid cleaning compositions, and to release them in a controlled manner. Said carriers can be single-layer or multi-layer laminate. In one embodiment, said controlled release carriers can comprise the absorbent core materials described in the U.S.A. 5,009,653, issued on April 23, 1991 to T.W. Osborn III, entitled "Thin, Flexible Sanitary Napkin", assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company, incorporated herein by reference. Another specific example of a controlled release carrier 15 herein comprises a network of hydroentangled fibers (as described above) having particles of polymeric gelling materials dispersed, either uniformly or non-uniformly, in the network. Suitable gelling materials include those described in detail in columns 5 to 6 of Osborn, as well as those described in U.S. Pat. 4,654,039, issued March 31, 1987 to Brandt, Goldman and Inglin. Other carriers useful herein include WATER-LOCK® L-535, available from the Grain Processing Corporation of Muscatin, Iowa. Non-particulate superabsorbents such as the fibrous material of ^^^ g ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ gg & ^^^^^^ & ^ gg ^ & ^^^^^ & i ^^ A ^^^^^ J ^ g ^^^^^^^^ acrylate available under the trade name LANSEAL F from the Choli Company of Higashi, Osaka , Japan and the fibrous carboxymethylcellulose material available under the tradename AQUALON C from Hercules, Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware may also be used herein. Said fibrous superabsorbents are also suitable for use in a hydroentangled type network. In another modality, the controlled release carrier can comprise absorbent cottons of cellulosic fibers or multiple layers of hydroentangled fibers, such as HYDRASPUN sheets mentioned above. In this mode, usually from 2 to about 5 sheets of HYDRASPUN, which can be linked by stitch or stick by stitch to provide a coherent multiple layered structure, provides an absorbent carrier for use in the present without the need for materials of gelling absorbers, although said gelling materials can be used if desired. Other useful controlled release carriers include natural or synthetic sponges, especially sponges and / or open cell polyurethane foams. Whichever controlled release carrier is selected, it must be one that absorbs the liquid cleaning compositions herein completely, releases them with the application of pressure or heat. Typically, the controlled release carriers herein will feel moist or, preferably, almost moist to almost dry to the touch, and will not become wet when carrying 200-1,000 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition.

Cover Sheet The cover sheets which optionally, but preferably, are used herein to cover the carrier sheet are distinguished from the carrier substrate sheets, since the cover sheets are relatively non-absorbent of the liquid cleaning compositions. freshness when compared to the carrier sheets. The cover sheets are constructed of hydrophobic fibers that tend not to absorb, "twist" or otherwise promote the transfer of fluids. Although fluids can pass through the voids between the fibers of the cover sheet, this occurs mainly when excessive pressure is applied to the article. Thus, under typical conditions of use, the cover sheet provides a physical barrier that holds the absorbent carrier, which is moistened by its clean / fresh liquid composition charge, by directly contacting the fabric articles that They are being treated. Even the permeable cover sheet does not allow the transfer of vapor from the cleaning / freshness composition of the carrier through the cover sheet and then to the fabric articles being treated. One type of cover sheet herein comprises a fibrous, permeable, non-woven or woven fabric. Said fibrous non-woven or woven cover sheets offer advantages over the formed film-type cover sheets known in the art of feminine towels. For example, formed film cover sheets (as described below) are often manufactured by hydroforming processes that they are particularly suitable with polymer films such as polyethylene. Although polyethylene can be used herein, there are certain aspects that, due to its lower melting point, high dryer temperatures can cause its softening and / or melting in use. Although it is possible to prepare upper sheets of formed film using nylon, polyester or other heat-resistant polymeric sheets, said fabrication becomes somewhat more difficult and, therefore, more expensive. It has also been determined that the cover sheet herein must be of a thickness that effectively provides the physical barrier function. Even if it is made of hydrophobic fibers, if the cover sheet is too thin, the fluid passage can occur under the intended conditions of use. Accordingly, it has been determined that the thickness of the fibrous cover sheet should preferably be at least about 0.18 mm, preferably from about 0.2 mm to about 0.6 mm. It should also be determined that the fibers used in the cover sheet are preferably hydrophobic and preferably have a melting point above about 240 ° C. The fibrous cover sheets for use herein can be made easily from heat-resistant fibers such as polyethylene. However, it has been determined that the preferred fibrous cover sheets can be prepared using nylon (especially nylon-6), polyester and the like, heat resistant fibers that can withstand even inadvertent lack of use in the current process. The flexible, garment-like, top sheets made therefrom are conventional materials in the non-woven and knitted fabric manufacturing technique, and their manufacture is not part of the invention. Non-woven fabrics for use in cover sheets are commercially available from such companies as Reemay, Inc., Hickory, TN. Said cover sheets also collect solid dust particles, dispersed lint and other fibers from the fabric articles that are being treated in the current process, thereby improving the general cleanliness / freshness appearance of the fabric articles following the treatment in the present. Said non-woven or woven fibrous sheet materials may be used in a single flat layer or as multiple layers as the cover sheet for the absorbent carrier core herein. In another embodiment, the absorbent core carrying the cleaning / freshness composition is covered in a fibrous or polyester cover sheet. polyamide that has been rolled into a ring or otherwise bent to provide three dimensional volumes. Optionally, said cover sheet can also be covered by a second cover sheet in an unfolded configuration. Said fibrous cover sheets, preferably resistant to The heat and, more preferably, hydrophobic, thus provide various embodiments of the article herein. Suitable combinations can be used, according to the manufacturer's wishes, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. If desired, the cover sheet can be ^ fe ^^? ^ í ^^^^^^^? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ £ s ^^^^^^^^^^ aiaai¿ ^^ t ^ provide with macroscopic windows through which can pass the lint, fibers or particulate dirt, thus helping to contain said strange matter within the article itself. A typical fibrous cover sheet linked by spinning herein is commercially available from Reemay and has the following characteristics. a) Type of fabric - 100% virgin homopolymer non-woven, semi-opaque, bleached, polyester bonded by spinning. b) Type of fiber - polyester of trilobal straight fiber copolymer of 6.0 Deniers.

Properties of the network Objective Scale a) Base / average weight of laminate g / m2 18.30 17.62 to 20.0 b) Thickness 203.2 μ 177.8 to 203.2 μ c) Fluff level As measured by the Reemay transportation / haul method based on the 0-5 scale. 5 being the level without lint. Side of the band 2.5 5.0 to 1.8 Jet side 3.4 5.0 to 2.6 As noted above, another type of cover sheet that can be used with the carrier sheets herein comprises the known open "formed film" cover sheets in the technique and of commercial use in feminine towels. The open formed films are prior to the liquid cleaning and / or freshness compositions and vapors thereof, and are not yet absorbent. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the fabric articles remains relatively dry, thereby reducing the water spot and the dye transfer. As with the fibrous cover sheets, the open formed films capture and retain the fluff, fibrous matter such as pet hair and the like, of the fabric being treated, thereby improving the cleaning / freshness benefits given by the present articles. Suitable formed films are described in the U.S.A. No. 3,929,135, entitled "Absorptive Structure Having Tapered Capillaries", issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; patent of E.U.A. No. 4,324,246, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Coversheet", issued to Mullane and Smith on April 13, 1982; patent of E.U.A. No. 4,342,314, entitled "Resilient Plástic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties", issued to Radel and Thompson on August 3, 1982; and patent of E.U.A. No. 4,463,045, entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plástic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression", issued to Ahr, Louis, Mullane and Oullette on July 31, 1984; U.S. Patent No. 4,637,819 issued to Oullette, Alcombright & Curro on January 20, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,609,518 issued to Curr, Baird, Gerth, Vernon & Linman on September 2, 1986, U.S. Patent No. 4,629,642 issued to Kernstock on December 16, 1986; and EPO Patent No. 0,165,807 to Osborn, published on 8/30/89; which are incorporated herein by reference. The openings in said cover sheets may be of uniform size or may vary in size, as ^, * - aaa ^^ S. ~ »F- fe ^ iia ^ s« asgsto > fe ^ < »^« ^ JtM¡sáfcfe describes in previously published documents, to which reference can be made for technical details, manufacturing methods and the like. Said openings can also vary in diameter in the form called "tapered capillaries". Said film cover sheets formed with preferably tapered capillary openings are placed on the carrier sheet, so that the smaller end of the capillary faces the carrier sheet and the larger end of the capillary faces outward. The above helps to avoid the transfer of liquid volume, thus minimizing the water stain on the cloth articles being treated. Primarily, the apertures in the formed film cover sheets used herein have diameters in the scale of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, or as described in the aforementioned patent references. A carrier sheet of the current type can be assembled as a laminate comprising an upper fibrous sheet, an absorbent carrier substrate such as the core and the lower fibrous sheet. The combination of the top sheet and bottom sheet comprises the "cover sheet" in the preferred embodiment of the articles herein. In a preferred mode, a spinning extends around the periphery of the article. The purpose of such a link is to ensure that said core of the absorbent carrier maintains its original configuration relative to the cover sheet with the article being used in the manner of this invention. As stated in a simple way, it has been discovered that if the absorbent sheet comprising the core is not When the "envelope" provided by the cover sheet in use, the carrier sheet tends to bend and wrinkle within the cover sheet. The foregoing may interfere with the supply of the cleaning / freshness composition to the fabric articles being treated. Furthermore, it has been found that it is not preferred to bind the cover sheet to the carrier sheet very tightly over the entire face of the carrier sheet. Overly tight binding of the cover sheet near the carrier sheet may allow some liquid transfer to occur through the cover sheet. Consequently, the carrier sheet is linked to the cover sheet only in discrete areas. In one embodiment, said ligature is only around the periphery of the article. In another embodiment, knitting can be employed in discrete areas on the face of the article. Several other linking patterns can be used. Preferably, the yarn is made in no more than 50% of the area of the article, more preferably no more than about 10% of the area of the article, more preferably no more than about 1% of the area of the article.

Cleaning / freshness liquid compositions The liquid cleaning / freshness compositions of the present invention comprise mainly water and perfume. It is often desirable, if not necessary, to include an emulsifier to keep the perfume in suspension. The liquid cleaning / freshness compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise surfactants «. ^ AaJJbMf and / or solvents to improve the cleaning / freshness benefits described herein. Preferably, the liquid cleaning / freshness composition comprises from about 90% to about 99.5% by weight of water and from about 10% to about 0.5% by weight of materials selected from the group consisting of perfumes, emulsifiers, surfactants, solvents, preservatives and mixtures thereof. The following examples II and III detail the specific compositions that have been used in the methods and equipment of the present invention. However, said examples are not intended to limit the present invention. The preferred freshness compositions herein are as follows.

Inqredient% (by weight) Scale (% by weight) Water 99.0 95.1-99.9 Perfume 0.5 0.05-1.5 Surfactant 0.5 0.05-2.0 Ethanol or isopropanol 0 Optional up to 4% * Especially preferred ethoxylated alcohols, as described in more detail below . The fabric freshness compositions may also contain anionic surfactants. Such anionic surfactants are well known in detergency techniques.

Commercial surfactants available as TWEEN®, SPAN®, AEROSOL OT® and several sulfosuccinic esters are especially useful in the present.

Perfume As can be seen, the highest molecular weight, high boiling point, bad odor chemical compounds tend to stop in the fabric articles, at least to some degree. These bad odors can be overcome, or "covered" by the perfumes. However, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that the perfume manufacturer must select at least some perfume chemical compounds that are sufficiently high boiling, so that they are not fully ventilated by the drying device together with the volatile malodorous odors. . A wide variety of aldehydes, ketones, esters, acétalos and the like are known, chemical perfumery compounds having boiling points above about 50 ° C, preferably above about 85 ° C. Said ingredients can be supplied by the carrier substrate in the present to permeate the contents of the drying device during the processes herein, further reducing in this way the user's perception of bad odors. It is understood that perfumes suitable for use in the liquid cleaning / freshness compositions described above are generally suitable for use in the pretreatment compositions described below. Non-limiting examples of perfume materials with relatively high boiling components include various essential oils, resinoids, and resins from a variety of sources including but not limited to orange oil, lemon oil, patchouli, balsam from Peru, Resinoid team of olibanum, styrax, labdanum resin, nutmeg, cassia oil, benzoin resin, coriander, bleach and lavender. Still other perfume chemical compounds include phenylethyl alcohol, terpineol and mixed pine oil terpenes, linalool, alkylacetate, geraniol, nerol, 2- (1,1-dimethylethyl) -cyclohexanolacetate, orange terpenes and eugenol. Obviously, lower boiling materials can be included, with the understanding that some loss will occur during ventilation.

Localized spot removal In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the equipment further comprises an absorbent dirt receiving article and a pretreatment composition that is used in conjunction with the localized pre-treatment stained areas of the dry-cleaned articles. . The absorbent strain receiving article and the pretreatment composition are described in turn below. In a preferred mode, the pretreatment composition comprises water and a surfactant, preferably a surfactant comprising a mixture of MgAES surfactant and amine oxide surfactant. The composition also preferably comprises water and a solvent, preferably butoxypropoxypropanol. As a general consideration, the compositions typically comprise the solvent and at least about 95% by weight of water, preferably also comprise a solvent and a surfactant, ie, water, a solvent and a surface active agent. In a preferred mode, the process is conducted by working the composition on the dirt by the mechanical force applied to the spots. In a highly preferred mode, the ASRA is a fibrous structure of TBAL. As described below, the synthetic fiber content of the low capillary pressure zone of the ASRA is preferably higher than the synthetic fiber content of the high capillary pressure zone, and is about 80% to about 100%, preferably about 100% by weight of the synthetic fiber.

Absorbent dirt receiving article ("ASRA") The ASRA herein may comprise any number of absorbent structures that provide a capillary pressure difference in its thickness (Z direction). When the ASRA is designated for use in the spot removal procedure herein, the following matters are taken into consideration. First, the cleaning solution only removes stains from the fibers of the fabric even with agitation.

If the cleaning solution that carries the dirt can remain on the fabric, the stains will be redeposited on the fabric as the cleaning solution dries. The more complete the removal of the cleaning solution from the fabric, the more complete will be the removal of stains. Secondly, the fabric article being treated is, by itself, basically a fibrous absorbent structure containing liquid (eg, cleaning solution) in capillaries between the fibers. Although some liquid can be absorbed into the fibers, most of the liquid will remain in the intrafiber capillaries (this includes capillaries between filaments twisted into a thread). The liquid held in the fabric can be removed by contact with another absorbent structure such as the ASRA in the present. In this procedure, the liquid is transferred from the capillaries of the fabric to the capillaries of the ASRA. Third, the liquid is maintained in capillaries by capillary pressure. The capillary pressure (Pe) is generally described by the following equation: Pc = (2xGxCosA) / R where G = the surface tension of the liquid A = the contact angle between the liquid and the capillary wall R = the capillary radius . Consequently, capillary pressure is higher in capillaries that have a low contact angle and a small radius. The fluid is held more tightly by high capillary pressure and will move from areas of low capillary pressure to areas of high capillary pressure. Therefore, in the ASRA object that provides a difference in capillary pressure in its thickness, the liquid will move from areas of low capillary pressure to areas of high capillary pressure. The capillary pressure can be measured using a variety of techniques, but it will employ the liquid cleaning composition as a test liquid.

Actually, the most absorbent materials are complex structures comprised of a variety of capillary sizes and contact angles. For this description, the capillary pressure of a capillary pressure material or zone in a material is defined as the average volumetric weight of the pressure scale found in said material or zone. For purposes of illustration, in circumstances where a dirty fabric saturated with cleaning solution is in liquid communication contact with two stacked layers, identical to the homogeneous absorbent material, such as a paper towel, the solution and dirt are easily transferred. from the cloth to the towel until capillary pressure is approximately equal in the two materials. In equilibrium, a certain amount of solution and dirt will remain in the fabric. The exact amount will depend on the characteristics of base weight and capillary pressure of the fabric and towel. A reduced amount of residual solution and dirt on the fabric, and therefore better cleaning, will result from the replacement of the lower layer (layer not in direct contact with the fabric) of the fabric with an absorbent top capillary pressure layer to the one with the towel. By virtue of its upper capillary pressure, said absorbent layer will cause more solution to be transferred from the upper capillary low pressure towel layer to the high capillary pressure absorbing layer which in turn causes more solution to be transferred from the fabric to the Top layer of the towel. The result is better cleaning because less residual solution and dirt remain on the fabric.

This type of multi-layer system is also beneficial when the Z directional pressure is applied to the moistened and ASRA dirty fabric. This pressure includes the various materials, thus reducing their vacuum volume and liquid absorption capacity (increasing the saturation percentage of the materials). The above can cause the liquid to be squeezed. The stratified structure allows the free liquid to be absorbed by the lower layer, that is, one farther from the fabric. This reduces the reabsorption of the liquid by the fabric. This is especially true if the lower layer (upper capillary pressure layer) is also relatively incompressible (maintains a higher percentage of its vacuum volume under pressure) compared to the upper layer (lower capillary pressure layer). In this case, it may be desirable for the upper layer to be elastically compressible so as to express the liquid under pressure that can be absorbed by the lower layer. In this way the ASRA can comprise two or more relatively distinct layers that differ in capillary pressure. As can be seen from the capillary pressure equation, a difference in capillary pressure can be achieved by varying the capillary size or the contact angle between the cleaning solution and the ASRA. Both factors can be controlled by the composition of the ASRA. The contact angle portion of the equation can also be affected by the chemical treatment of the ASRA with, for example, a surfactant to reduce the contact angle or a water repellent material such as silicone to increase the contact angle. .. ^. . ^^^ fl. ^ .. ». . . ^? #sMMfm and "ríMryy ^^ mií ^^^^^? ^ í ^^ && , contact angle The effectiveness of an ASRA that comprises multiple layers of different capillary pressure can be improved by locating most of the Total absorbent capacity in the high capillary pressure portion.

The upper one facing the layer only needs to be thick enough to insulate the fabric from the liquid maintained in the lower layer. The effectiveness of stratified ASRA can also be improved by selecting the low capillary pressure portion to have a capillary pressure greater than that of the fabric being treated. 10 In an ASRA comprised of two or more layers that differ in capillary pressure, the capillary pressure change pattern can be characterized as "stepped". In the thickness of the ASRA there is a sharp change or step in the capillary pressure at the layer interfaces. It will be appreciated that the ASRA in the present does not need to understand different multiple layers, but may comprise a single layer structure with a relatively continuous capillary size gradient in its thickness. ASRA can be made from a variety of materials including fibrous absorbers and foams. Useful fibrous absorbers include non-woven fabrics (card, hydro-stretch, thermal bond, bonded latex, meltblown, spun, etc.), non-woven multi-yarn air inlet ("MBAL" latex and combined thermal yarn) wet paper, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics or combination of materials (e.g. non-woven paper, and a lower layer of wet paper).

Said fibrous absorbers can be manufactured using a wide variety of fibers including natural and synthetic fibers. Useful fibers include wood pulp, rayon, cotton, cotton lint, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, spinning fibers with multiple components, etc. The types of multiple fiber can be mixed to be useful materials. Useful foam materials include polyurethane foams and high internal phase emulsion foams. The critical factor is to have a difference of the capillary pressure in the thickness of the ASRA. A wide range of fiber sizes can be used. A typical but not limiting scale of diameters is from about 0.5 micrometers to about 60 micrometers. For melt blowing, the preferred fibers are less than about 10 microns. Spunbonded and synthetic staple fibers vary in diameters from about 14 to about 60 microns. In general, lower diameter fibers are selected for the high capillary pressure layer and higher diameters for low capillary pressure. The length of the fiber may depend on the formation procedure used and the desired capillary pressure. Those spin-bonded comprise a substantially continuous fiber. For air entry fibers, 4-6 mm is typical. For plated fibers, the scale is typically 25-100 mm. Furthermore, it has been found that enrichment of the top layer in the bicomponent fibers reduces the formation of lint during use. Cleaning can also be improved by the formation of the top layer rich in synthetic fibers (for example, bicomponent) due to l ^ gj ^ H his lipophilic nature that helps to remove greasy stains from the cloth article that is being treated. Absorbent gelling materials ("AGM") such as those sometimes referred to in the diaper technique as 5"superabsorbents" can be added to any of the receptor layers or as a discrete layer between the fiber layers or in the of the lower layer of the ASRA. Functionally, the AGMs provide additional liquid absorption capacity and serve to drain the capillaries in the structure of the ASRA that help maintain the capillary pressure gradient as absorbs the liquid. Another type of absorbent useful herein comprises functional absorbent materials ("FAM's") which are in the form of water absorbing foams having a controlled capillary size. The physical structure and high capillarity resulting from FAM type foams provide water absorption very effective, although at the same time the chemical composition of FAM typically makes them highly lipophilic. In this way, the FAM can essentially provide both hydrophilic and lipophilic character simultaneously. (FAM foams can be treated to make them hydrophilic.) Hydrophobic or hydrophilic FAM can be used herein.

The acquisition and absorbency of the FAM with respect to the liquid cleaning compositions herein is superior to most other types of absorbent materials. For example, the FAM has a capacity of around 6 g (H2O) per gram of foam at a pressure of suction of 100 cm of water. By contrast, the cellulose wood fiber structures substantially have no capacity above about 80 cm of water. Therefore, in the current procedure, the volume of the liquid cleaning composition used is relatively low (a few 5 millimeters is typical) the amount of FAM used may be small. The above means that the underlying FAM pad in the cloth stained area can be very thin and still be effective. The manufacture of FAM type foams for use as the ASRA herein is not part of the present invention. The making of FAM foam is described extensively in the patent literature; see, for example: US patent. 5,260,345 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued November 9, 1993; E.U.A. 5,268,224 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued December 7, 1993; E.U.A. 5,147,345 to Young, LaVon and Taylor, issued September 15, 1992 and attached patent of E.U.A. 5,318,554, issued June 7, 1994; E.U.A. 5,149,720 to DesMarais, Dick and Shiveley, issued September 22, 1992 and accompanying patents of E.U.A. 5,198,472, issued March 30, 1993 and E.U.A. 5,250,576, issued October 5, 1993; E.U.A. 5,352,711 to DesMarais, issued on October 4, 1994; PCT application 93/04115 published on March 4, 1993, and E.U.A. 5,292,777 to DesMarais and Stone, issued March 8, 1994; E.U.A. 5,387,207 to Dyer, DesMarais, LaVon, Stone, Taylor and Young, issued February 7, 1995; E.U.A. 5,500,451 to Goldman and Scheibel, issued on March 19, 1996; and E.U.A. 5,550,167 to DesMarais, issued August 27, 1996, which are incorporated herein by reference. The absorbents made from FAM foam can be used in either of the two forms. In one mode, the uncompressed foam is used. Uncompressed FAM pads that have a thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 15 mm are useful. In another mode, the FAM foam can be used in a compressed state that absorbs as a liquid cleaner with its charge of embedded stain material. Compressed FAM foams having thicknesses in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 4.7 mm are suitable herein. The preparation of the FAM foam (also sometimes referred to in the literature as "HIPE", eg, high internal phase emulsion) is described in the patents cited above, the descriptions of which have been incorporated herein by reference. In light of the above considerations, the ASRA herein can be defined as an absorbent structure having a capillary pressure difference in its thickness (Z direction). In a typical, but not limiting, mode, the above can be achieved by having relatively larger capillaries (e.g., 50-100 micrometers radius) in the upper receiving portion of the ASRA liquid that comes into contact with the fabric article. what is being treated The lower the liquid storage portion, the capillaries will be relatively smaller (for example 5-30 micrometers radius). Regardless of the size used, it is desirable that the difference in average capillary pressure between the two layers be large enough so that the overlap in the capillary pressure scale between the two layers is kept to a minimum.

Base Weight The basis weight of the ASRA may vary depending on the amount of cleaning solution it must absorb. A preferred 127 mm X 127 mm receiver absorbs about 10-50 grams of water. Although very little liquid is used in the typical stain removal procedure, much less capacity is actually required. A typical TBAL ASRA pad weighs around 4-6 grams. A useful scale is therefore about 1 gram to about 7 grams. A variety of sizes can be used, for example, 90 mm x 140 mm.

Size and thickness The preferred size of ASRA is around 127 mm X 127 mm, however other sizes can be used, for example, 90 mm x 140 mm. The form can also vary. The general thickness of the preferred ASRA is about 3 mm (3048 μ), but it can vary widely. The lower end may be limited by the desire to provide impression of absorbency. A reasonable scale is from 635 μ to 5080 μ. - * - «** - < * - - - ~ - tJ ¥ t 1 to ^ + * - i * ': a' **? M? t > "" *** x i? a * Other ASRA design considerations The ASRA is preferably free of dust and lint. Some materials are naturally free of dust and lint (synthetic non-woven fabrics). Some materials, generally cellulosic containing materials can be powdered because not all fibers are bound. Dust and lint can be reduced by ligating substantially all of the fibers that reside on or near the surface of the ASRA that comes into contact with the fabric article being treated. The above can be achieved by the application of resins such as latex, starch, polyvinyl alcohol or the like. Cold or heat wrinkling, sonic binding, heat binding and / or decoction can also be used on all edges of the receiver to further reduce the tendency to lint. The ASRA is generally sufficiently robust, so that it can be used as such. However, in order to avoid the impact of liquid on the upper table or another treatment surface selected by the user, it is preferred to fix a barrier sheet impermeable to the liquid on the lowermost surface. The support sheet also improves the integrity of the general article. The lowermost layer can be coated by extrusion with a layer of polyethylene or polypropylene film of 12.7-50.8 μ, preferably 25.4 μ using conventional methods. A film layer can also be laminated adhesive or thermally to the lower layer. The film layer is designed to be a barrier free of holes to prevent any unwanted leakage of the cleaning composition beyond the receiver. Said support sheet can be printed with instructions for use, engraved and / or decorated, according to the wishes of the formulator. The ASRA is intended for external use of the dryer. However, although the receiver 5 can be inadvertently placed in the dryer and subjected to high temperatures, it is preferred that the support sheet be made of a heat resistant film such as polypropylene or nylon. White is the preferred color for ASRA since it allows the user to observe the transfer of the stain from the fabric to the receiver. However, there is no functional limit to select the color. The support sheet can optionally be a contrast color. The ASRA can also be recorded with any desired pattern or logo.

Manufacturing A typical, but not limiting, form of ASRA herein is a TBAL material consisting of a low capillary pressure top layer that is placed in liquid communication contact with the fabric article being treated in a lower layer of high capillary pressure. The ASRA can be conveniently manufactured using procedures known in the art for the manufacture of TBAL materials; see patent of E.U.A. 4,640,810. As a general proposition, TBAL manufacturing procedures typically comprise the placement of a fiber network : liyy¿ * ..,, - .., ..-,, ^ ^ and ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ short (2-4 mm), in which relatively long bicomponent fibers (4-6 mm) are mixed. The cover of the bicomponent fiber is fused with the application of heat to achieve thermal bonding. The bicomponent fibers are mixed in the fibers of wood pulp, thus acting to "stick" the whole mold. Both layers in an ASRA embodiment herein can be a homogenous blend of wood pulp fibers and bicomponent thermal bond fibers. In a more preferred embodiment, the top layer is a 100% concentric bicomponent fiber comprising 50:50 (p) of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) comprising a PP core covered with an outer PE shell. The gradient is achieved by providing a higher proportion of bicomponent binder fibers in the upper layer compared to the lower layer. By using a TBAL process as described in the U.S. patent. 4,640,810, the upper layer of low capillary pressure is formed by a first 100% bicomponent fiber forming station (AL-Thermal-C, 1.7 dtex, 6 mm long available from Danaklon a / s). The basis weight of said bicomponent top layer is approximately 30 gsm (grams / meter2). The lower, high capillary pressure layer is formed on the upper layer by the second and third formation stations of a fiber mixture consisting of approximately 72% of wood pulp (Flint River Fluff available from Weyerhaeuser Co) of approximately 28% of bicomponent bond fiber. The basis weight of said lower layer is approximately ..-, - .. - ,. ".- - b ~ - ,. ^. ^^ _...- ^ «^ tiiii ^ iiili ^^ 270 gsm. Each of the second and third training stations deposits approximately half of the total weight of the lower layer. The two layers are then satined to provide a combined final thickness of about 3 mm. Subsequently, a coating of 25.4 μ of propylene is coated by extrusion on the exposed surfaces of the lower layer. The individual receivers are cut to a size of 127 mm X 127 mm. In an optional mode, although the material will be rolled on a roll before applying the backing sheet, a binder (e.g., Latex-Airflex 124 available from Air Products) can be applied to the exposed surface of the bottom layer before the bond thermal to avoid the transfer of dust and lint to the bicomponent top layer. Alternatively, a lint-free sheet can be placed on the ASRA during winding to avoid lint due to contact between the surface.

Conditions of use The ASRA in the present is intended to make more economical what can be downloaded after a single use. However, the structures are robust enough so that they can be used several times. In any case, the user should preferably place the article so that the "clean" areas are placed under the dirty areas of the fabric article being treated in order to prevent the release of old spots of the ASRA back into the cloth.

Preferred pretreatment compositions. The chemical compositions that are used to pretreat localized spots comprise ingredients that are safe and effective for their intended use. Although the process herein does not involve an aqueous rinse step, the compositions employ ingredients that leave no undesirable residue on the fabrics when used in the manner described herein. Although conventional laundry detergents are typically formulated to provide a cleanse in cotton fabrics and cotton / polyester blend, the compositions in the The present invention should also be formulated to safely and effectively pre-treat fabrics such as wool, silk, rayon, rayon acetate and the like. In addition, the compositions herein comprise ingredients that are specially selected and formulated to minimize the removal or migration of dye from the spot site of the dye. fugitive dye without fixing from the cloth items being cleaned. In this regard, it is recognized that solvents typically used in immersion of dry cleaning processes can remove a certain portion of some types of dyes from certain types of fabrics. However, said removal is tolerable in the immersion procedures, since the The colorant is relatively uniformly removed on the surface of the fabric. In contrast, it has been determined that high concentrations of certain types of cleaning ingredients at specific sites on the cloth surface can result in an unacceptable localized dye removal. The Preferred compositions herein are formulated to minimize or avoid said problem. In addition to the above considerations, the compositions that are used herein are preferably formulated so that they are readily supplied and non-adhesive in nature since they make the stain cleaning device uncontrollable or difficult to use. However, and while not intended to be limited to the present invention, preferred compositions described herein give a stain cleaning process that is effective and aesthetically pleasing when used with a device according to the invention.

Surfactants Nonionic agents such as C10-C16 ethoxylated alcohols, for example, NEODOL 23-6.5, can also be used in the compositions. The alkyl sulfate surfactants which can be used herein as cleaners and to stabilize the aqueous cleaning compositions are the C 8 -C 8 primary alkyl sulphates, ("AS", preferred C 10 -C 14 sodium salts), as well as randomized branched chain C alqu o-C2o alkyl sulfates, and secondary alkyl sulfates (2,3) of C 10 -C 18 of the formula CH 3 (CH 2) x (CHOSO 3"M +) CH 3 and CH 3 (CH 2) and (CHOSO 3" M +) CH2CH3 wherein xy (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a cation solubilizing in water, especially sodium, as well as unsaturated sulfates such as oleylsulfate. The alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants (AES) used herein are conventionally shown to have the formula R (EO) xSO3Z, wherein R is C10-C16 alkyl, EO is -CH2CH2-O-, x is 1-10 and include mixtures that are conditionally reported as averages, for example, (EO) 2 5, (EO) ß.5 and the like, and Z is a cation such as ammonium or magnesium sodium (MgAES). The C 2 -Cl 6 dimethylamine oxide surfactants can also be used. A preferred mixture comprises a dimethylamine oxide MgAE? S / MgAE6.5S / C-? 2 at a weight ratio of about 1: 1: 1. A more preferred mixture comprises dimethylamine oxide of MgAE-? S / C-? 2 at a weight ratio of about 10: 1. Other surfactants that improve phase stability and which may optionally be used herein include the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, for example, C-? 2-C? 4 N-methylglucamide. The stabilized compositions of AS preferably comprise from 0.1% -0.5% by weight of the compositions herein. The MgAES and the amine oxides, if used, may comprise 0.01% -2% by weight of the compositions. The other surfactants can be used at similar levels. Having taken into account the above considerations, the following illustrates the various other ingredients that may be used in the compositions herein, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.

Aqueous compositions (a) Solvent - The compositions herein may comprise from about 0% to about 6% by weight, of BPP solvent. (b) Water - The compositions herein can comprise about 94%, preferably about 95.5% or about 99.9% by weight, of water. (c) Surfactant - Preferred compositions herein may comprise from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of surfactants such as ethoxylated alcohols or alkylphenols, alkyl sulfates or MgAES, NH4AES, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the weight ratio of BPP solvent: surfactant agent (s) is in the range of 10: 1 to 1: 1. A preferred composition comprises 2% BPP / 0.3% MgAE ^ / 0.03% dimethylamine oxide of C? 2. 15 (d) Optionals - The compositions herein may comprise minor amounts of several optional ingredients, including perfumes, preservatives, and the like. If used, such optional ingredients will typically comprise from 0.05% to 2% by weight, of the compositions, having due consideration for residues on the articles of cleaned fabrics.

Organic Solvent The preferred cleaning solvent herein is butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP), which is available in commercial quantities as a mixture of isomers in approximately equal amounts. The isomers, and mixtures thereof, are useful herein. The isomer structures are the following: n-C4H9-O-CH2CH2CH2-O-CH2CH2CH2-OH CH, I 3 n-C4H9-O-CH2-C-O-CH2CH2CH2 ~ OH 10, 1 CH, I 3 n- C4Hg - O-C H2C H2C H2 ~ O- C H2 ~ C-OH H Although the liquid cleaning compositions of the present 15 work quite well with only BPP, water and stabilizing surfactant, they may also optionally contain other ingredients to further improve their stability. Hydrotropes such as sodium toluenesulfonate and sodium cumensulfonate, short chain alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol, and the like, may be present in the compositions. If used, such ingredients will typically comprise from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight, of the stabilized compositions herein. Non-aqueous compositions (less than 50% - »* - + ~ - - - - > - ^ - ~ * L- iiniflllMllliMMiri - ^ - ^^^. ^^ * ^ a of water) which may optionally be used in the pre-staining step may comprise the same organic solvents.

Other Optional Ingredients In addition to water, the preferred BPP solvent and the surfactants described above, the compositions herein may comprise various optional ingredients, such as perfumes, preservatives, brighteners, viscosity control salts, adjusters or pH regulators, and the like . 10 EXAMPLE 1 Examples of preferred high water content pretreatment compositions for use in the spot removal step located herein are as follows. The compositions are listed as "non-ionic" or "anionic", depending on the type of surfactant used therein. These compositions are used in the manner described in Example II below. .,., ^ ^^., .. .. . ^,. «^. . .. ^. ^ ... .. »-» jgfffgflfc- - "> * 'j, tfc- Ingredient Nonionic (%) Anionic (%) Butoxipropoxypropanol (BPP) 2.00 2.00 NEODOL 23 6.5 0.250 - dodecyldimethylamine oxide - 0.031 MgCl2 - 0.018 MgSO4 - 0.019 Hydrotope, perfume, other - 0.101 minor KATHON preservative 0.0003 0.0003 Water 97.750 97.547 Ammonium salt of C (2-C? 4 (coalkyl) ethoxy sulfate (EO-) 1 ).

EXAMPLE A liquid cleaning / freshness composition for use in the methods and equipment of the present invention is prepared as follows. Ingredient% (weight) Water 99.3 Emulsifier (TWEEN 20) * 0.3 Perfume 0.4 * Polyethoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate available from ICI Surfactants. 230 grams of the product are applied to six (6) carrier sheets 40 cm x 40 cm of non-woven fabric, preferably HYDRASPUN®. In a simple way, however effective, the carrier sheets are placed in a * é ^ s x ^ & f ^^^^^ t ^ ñ • > Sack and saturate with the product. The capillary action of the substrate and optionally, the manipulation and / or laying of the bag on its side, cause the product to penetrate through the leaves. Preferably, the sheets are of a type, size and absorbency that are not "dripping" of the liquid. The bag is sealed so that the liquid composition is stable for storage until use. Step 1. Select a cloth item to be cleaned and refreshed. The localized spot areas of the fabric article are placed on an absorbing TBAL stain receiver or other ASRA as is described herein and are treated by directly applying about 12.7-127 μ (depending on the size of the stain) of the liquid pretreatment composition of Example 1, which is gently worked into the fabric using the device herein. The treated spots are lightly touched with a dry paper towel. In a modality Alternatively, the freshness product is removably absorbed onto a carrier sheet and applied to the spots. Step 2. Following the pre-stamping step, the fabric article is placed in a conventional clothes dryer together with the sheets (which are removed from the storage bag and unfold) containing The liquid / cleaning / freshness composition of Example II is releasably removed. The dryer is operated in standard mode for 10-60 minutes at a high heat setting (an air temperature scale of 60-70 ° C). After the revolving action of the dryer is finished, the cloth item is clean and ? ¡¡¡¡I¡ ^ & cooled is removed from the dryer. The carrier sheets used are discarded.

EXAMPLE III The additional high water content cleaning / freshness compositions for use in the dryer step of the current process are as follows. The compositions are used in the manner described above to clean and refresh the fabrics. 10 Components Percentage Scale (%) Deionized Water Cleaning Function 98.8997 97-99.9 Vapor phase Wetting agent, TWEEN 20 0.50 0.5-1.0 Emulsifier for perfume Essence, Perfume 0.50 0.1-1.50 aesthetics 15 KATHON CG * 0.0003 0.0001-0.0030 Antibacterial Benzoate sodium * 0.10 0.05-1.0 Antifungal * Optional preservative ingredients 200-1,000 grams, preferably around 230 grams, of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition are absorbed in six (6) sheets carriers of 40 cm x 40 cm HYDRASPUN® (the leaves preferably not they are "dripping" with moisture). The sheets are used in the manner described above to clean and refresh cloth items in a hot air clothes dryer.

EXAMPLE IV A liquid pretreatment composition is formulated by mixing the following ingredients. 5 Ingredient% (weight) BPP 4.0 Salt of AS of C? 2-C? 4, Na 0.25 Water and minors * Rest * Includes preservatives such as KATHON® at levels of 0.00001% -1% by weight. The fabric article to be treated is laid flat on an absorbent TBAL stain receiving sheet or any of the other ASRAs described herein, and 0.5 ml-4 ml of the composition is applied directly to the stain and worked using the device cleaning. Other useful compositions that may be used in this step are as follows: Ingredient Percentage (weight) Scale; (weight) BPP 4.0 0.1-4.0% AS of C? 2-C14 0.4 0.1-0.5% 20 Nonionic surfactant (optional) * 0.1 0-0.5% Water (distilled or deionized) the rest 95-99.8% Target pH = 7.0 & ------ - - ^ * - * - ** ~~ * i * «- - aa ^ Mafc- ^ á -üf mf'- - - - - * - **" »» "* - * The optional nonionic surfactants in the present compositions are preferably N-methylglucamides of C2-CH or ethoxylated alcohols of C? 2-C? B (EO 1-10). The foregoing illustrates pre-stain compositions using the 5 AS surfactant The improved cleaning performance can be achieved by using MgAES surfactants and amine oxide, although possibly with some reduction in phase stability.Thus, aqueous compositions with about 2-3% BPP can be stabilized using surfactants of MgAES, however, for compositions containing 4%, and more than BPP, the formulator may wish to include the surfactant AS. The amount and mixture of surfactants will depend on the degree of temperature dependent phase stability desired by the formulator. Amine oxide surfactants can also be used in the compositions as oxide of dimethyldodecylamine. The pre-stained fabric articles are subsequently placed in a drying device together with one or more of the carrier sheets releasably containing approximately 200-1,000 grams of a cleaning / freshness composition according to any of the examples of the present. The dryer is operated and the cloth articles and carrier sheets are stirred for a period of 10-60 minutes at a dryer air temperature in the range of 40 ° C to 70 ° C. During this time, the carrier sheets are put in close contact with the articles of cloth. Water vapors and volatile malodorous materials are vented from the dryer by a fan as in a conventional clothes dryer. After the machine cycle is completed, the fabric items and carrier sheets are removed from the dryer, and the spent carrier sheets are discarded. Cloth items are clean and refreshed. With respect to the wrinkle removal function of the dryer step of the present methods and compositions, it will be appreciated that the formation of wrinkles can be affected by the type of fabric, the weft of the fabric, the finishes of the fabric, and the like. . For fabrics that tend to wrinkle, it is preferred not to overload the dryer. Thus, for a dryer with, for example, an operating capacity of up to 100,000 to 200,000 cubic centimeters, it may be better to process only up to 37% to 40% of the dryer capacity, to further minimize wrinkling of the laundry items. cloth.

EXAMPLE V A liquid low residue cleaning / freshness composition for use in the methods and equipment of the present invention is prepared as follows. ^^ ¿& ¿^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^ B ^ Aagjij ^^^^ ..

Ingredient% (weight) Emulsifier (TWEEN 20) * 0.5 Perfume 0.5 KATHON® ** 0.0003 Sodium benzoate 0.1 Water Other * polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate available from ICI Surfactants. **conservative A carrier sheet of HYDRASPUN® is prepared. The carrier sheet is covered on both sides with a top sheet and a sheet Bottom of Reemay cloth cover sheet material of 203.2 μ (0.2 mm) of the type described here above. The cover sheet (ie the upper sheet and the lower sheet) are attached to the carrier sheet by a Vertrod® heat sealing device or other standard, thereby bonding the laminated structure together around the entire periphery of the sheet carrier The edges of the carrier sheet around its periphery are interleaved between the upper sheet and the lower sheet by the joint. The width of the joint is kept to a minimum and is approximately 6.4 mm. The bonded laminate structure prepared in this manner is somehow loosely wound around a cylindrical vacuum in a generally tubular shape of approximately 40 cm in length and a diameter of approximately 2-3 cm. The rolled article is then bent at half its length at approximately its mid-point by means of a thrust knife which also serves to insert the article into a retention bag. It is noted that, with the rolling method of the present, no essentially sharp folds are formed, and the final bending of the gtoá &rolled tube is under such tension that only in the center of a bend there are a few sharp formed folds. The result is that the permanent redoubling along the fold lines is essentially avoided, and the release of the cleaning / freshness composition from the article in use is optimized. Any non-leaking plastic or flexible bag is suitable for use to contain the carrier sheets and the liquid cleaning / cooling compositions described herein. For example, a sack of laminated sheet of the type used in the food service industry may be used. Such sacks are well known in the industry and are made of materials that do not absorb food flavors. In a similar way, the formulator herein may wish to avoid absorption of the perfume used in the cleaning / freshness composition by the bag. Several bags are useful herein and are commercially available on a routine basis. In this way, the bag containing the folded / folded carrier sheets of the present has overall dimensions of 8.5 cm x 22 cm. 230 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition are poured onto the carrier sheets inside the bag and allowed to be absorbed for a minimum of 30 minutes, preferably for at least 4 hours. The bag is sealed immediately after the liquid product is introduced into the bag and stored until the time of use. Although the method and components thereof have been described herein extensively and in detail, the modifications to the ... ^. ^ .. ^^^^^^ -, ".. ^,. . . i. The rest ---- aiifcftfcA. . . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The equipment according to the present invention conveniently contains from 1 to 20 of the carrier sheets, the liquid cleaning / freshness composition, optionally from 1 to 6 of the leaf-shaped ASRAs and bottled portions (typically about 10 ml. 100 ml) of the pretreatment composition. However, larger or smaller amounts of carrier sheets, receptors and / or pretreatment compositions may be provided. Teams comprising one or more ASRAs and a portion, for example 5-200 mis, of cleaning composition are also provided herein.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A team for the dry cleaning of fabrics characterized by: one or more carrier sheets; and from 200 grams to 1000 grams of liquid cleaning / freshness composition; wherein one or more carrier sheets can absorb at least 200 grams of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition.

2. The equipment according to claim 1, further characterized by one or more absorbent stain receiving articles and a portion of the pretreatment composition.

3. The equipment according to claim 2, further characterized in that the pretreatment composition comprises butoxypropoxypropanol.

4. The equipment according to claim 1, further characterized in that one or more carrier sheets are supplied in a bag that is substantially watertight and the carrier sheets are presaturated with the liquid cleaning / freshness composition.

5. The equipment according to claim 1, further characterized in that the liquid cleaning / freshness composition comprises from 90% to 99.5% by weight of water and from 10% to 0.5% by weight of materials selected from the group consisting of perfumes, emulsifiers, surfactants, solvents, preservatives and mixtures thereof.

6. The equipment according to claim 2, further characterized in that one or more absorbent stain-receiving articles are a 2-layer TBAI structure.

7. The equipment according to claim 2, further characterized in that one or more carrier sheets have an aggregate surface area of 1, 500 cm2 to 6,500 cm2.

8. A method for dry cleaning fabrics characterized by the steps of: (i) placing one or more fabrics to be cleaned in a device that provides heat and agitation; (ii) placing one or more carrier sheets in the device wherein the carrier sheets have 200 grams of a liquid cleaning / freshness composition removably absorbed therein; (iii) heating the air within the device to at least 55 ° C and (iv) agitating the fabrics and the carrier sheets until at least 15 40% by weight of the liquid cleaning / freshness composition of the carrier sheets has evaporated and ventilated the device.

9. The method according to claim 8, further characterized by a pretreatment process characterized by the steps of: (i) placing a localized dirty area of the fabric on and in contact with an absorbent strain receiving article; (ii) applying sufficient pretreatment composition to the fabric to ensure the localized dirty area; (iii) allowing the composition to penetrate the strain for a predetermined period; (iv) removing the fabric from contact with the receiving article of «G * ^^ absorbent stain.

10. The process according to claim 9, further characterized in that the pretreatment composition comprises butoxypropoxypropanol. 3 ^ ¡m? ^^^ g ^^^ lsí ^^ ijj ^^^^ jg ^^ S ^ j? JÉM