MXPA99003879A - Stain removal with bleach - Google Patents

Abstract

Stains are removed from fabrics safely and effectively using a spot removal composition which contains peroxide.

Description

ELIMINATION OF STAINS WITH BLEACH FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to compositions that can be used to remove fabric stains. The compositions are especially useful in a stain removal step of a fabric cleaning operation without immersion, but they can also be used under any circumstances where the removal of fabric stains is desired.

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, having registered the first cleaning with solvent in the United Kingdom in 1860. Typically, dry cleaning procedures are used with clothes such as wool that are subjected to shrinkage in aqueous wash baths, or which are considered very valuable or very delicate as to subject them to aqueous laundry procedures. Various hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in dry cleaning procedures by immersion, and the need to handle and use said Solvents have largely restricted the practice of conventional dry cleaning for commel establishments. Although solvent-based dry cleaning procedures are quite effective in removing dirt and greasy stains, they are not optimal for removing particulate materials such as clay soils, and may require special treatment conditions to remove proteinaceous stains. Ideally, particulate materials and proteinaceous stains are removed from fabrics using detersive ingredients and operating conditions that are more akin to aqueous washing procedures than conventional dry cleaning. In addition to the cleaning function, conventional dry cleaning procedures also provide important "cooling" benefits. For example, dry cleaning removes unpleasant odors and foreign matter such as hair and lint from garments, which are usually folded or pressed to eliminate wrinkles and regain their original shape. In fact, said cooling benefits are also produced by the washing procedures in aqueous solution. As can be seen from the foregoing, and in addition to the effects on certain fabrics such as woolen fabrics, there are no special inherent advantages for dry cleaning by solvent-based immersion over cleaning procedures in aqueous solution, with respect to cleaning or refreshing the fabric. In addition, on a per-pledge basis, commel dry cleaning is much more costly than conventional dry cleaning procedures. cleaning in aqueous solution. Therefore, it would be of considerable benefit to consumers to provide non-immersion procedures for "dry-only" cloth cleaning, which can be used at home. A type of domestic dry cleaning system comprises a carrier sheet that contains several cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The garments to be cleaned are placed in the bag together with the sheet, and then they are rotated in a conventional clothes dryer. In a commel mode, several single-use flat sheets and a single multipurpose plastic bag are provided in a package. Unfortunately, such processes may not satisfactorily remove stains from noticeably soiled or "stained" areas of fabrics being cleaned dry. As is well known, remarkably stained garments can be "pre-stained" using the so-called "stain removal" compositions, before cleaning. The improved stain removal methods use devices that allow the user to pre-stain the fabrics without resorting to float, thereby minimizing damage to the fabric. Said devices are designed to work in conjunction with the pre-stain compositions to loosen and eliminate stains by controlled mechanical action, thus preventing damage to the fabric. Briefly stated, said devices are designed to implement little by little only the mechanics of the z-axis, with respect to the fabric that is being treated. In addition, preferred devices actually promote z-axis mechanics, and dissuade the user from using an inconvenient rub movement from side to side. However, it has now been discovered that, even when preferred cleaning devices are used in combination with pre-stain compositions, some stains can not be removed from the fabrics optimally. This is especially true in domestic cleaning, where the operator has not had any special training in the stain removal operation. For example, certain food stains such as spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, coffee, tea, wine and the like, contain colored bodies that can be incompletely removed from the fabric by conventional pre-stain compositions. By the present invention, it has been discovered that the use of a peroxide bleach, especially hydroperoxide, preferably in combination with solvents and a large proportion of water, and more preferably a chelating a, efficiently and effectively removes said stains.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND A dry cleaning composition containing perished is disclosed in the U.S. patent. No. 4,013,575, issued to H. Castrantas, et al., March 22, 1977. Dry cleaning procedures are described in: E.U. 5,547,476, issued on August 20, 1996 to Siklosi and Roetker; EP 429. 172A1, published 29.05.91, Leigh, et al., And in E.U. 5,238,587, issued on 8/24/93, Smith, and others. Other references that refer to compositions and dry cleaning procedures, as well as wrinkle treatments for fabrics, include: GB 1, 598, 911; and the patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,126,563; 3,949,137; 3,593,544; 3,647,354; 3,432,253 and 1,747,324; the German applications 2,021, 561 and 2,460,239, 0,208,989 and 4,007,362. Methods and compositions for prior cleaning / stain removal are also described, for example, in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 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. Sheet substrates for use in a conventional laundry dryer are described in Canadian Patent 1,005,204. The patents of E.U.A. 3,956,556 and 4,007,300 refer to perforated sheets for the conditioning of fabrics in a clothes dryer. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,692,277 describes the use of 1,2-octanediol in liquid cleaners. See also the patents of E.U.A. Nos. 3,591, 510, 3,737,387; 3,764,544; 3,882,038; 3,907,496; 4,097,397; 4,102,824; 4,336,024; 4,594,362; 4,606,842; 4,758,641; 4,797,310; 4,802,997; 4,943,392; 4,996,724; 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 Glycoi Ethers", HAPPI, April 1989, pp. 78-82.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a stain cleaning composition, for use in fabrics, comprising: (a) at least about 89%, by weight, of water; (b) from about 0% to about 10%, by weight, of an organic cleaning solvent; (c) from about 0.25% to about 7%, by weight, of a peroxide source; (d) optionally, but preferably, a detersive surfactant, and (d) optionally, but preferably, a peroxide stabilizing amount of a chelating a. In a preferred embodiment, the organic cleaning solvent is butoxypropoxypropanol. The source of peroxide is preferably hydroperoxide. The chelating a is preferably an aminophosphonate chelating a, such as amino tris (methylene phosphonic) acid, or a water-soluble salt thereof. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the dry cleaning art that one might have thought that the potential to damage the colorant (or fabric) is increased by the use of peroxide in the present pre-stain compositions. This is particularly true when fabrics are pre-stamped having dyes containing transition metals such as chromium or cobalt, or having traces of iron collected during processing. This potential to damage the fabric is further exacerbated by the presence of chloride ions in the fabric, for example, from perspiration In addition, since the entire dryer method herein does not include a rinse step in aqueous solution, it would appear to further increase the potential to damage the colorant or fabric. However, and contrary to the above expectations, it has now been discovered that the potential to damage the dye and / or the fabric is minimized or eliminated by formulating the pre-stamped compositions herein within the following parameters. First, the amount of hydrogen peroxide used is quite low, typically from about 0.25% to about 3%, preferably about 1%, by weight, in the compositions. Secondly, the amount of non-volatile ingredients in the compositions is also quite low. Even when it is not desired to be limited by theory, it can reasonably be assumed that such ingredients can entrap the peroxide on the surface of the fabric, thereby increasing the potential to cause damage, retarding the evaporation of any excess peroxide. In particular, it has now been discovered that the level of detersive surfactant used in the composition can enhance said damage to the colorant / fabric. Thus, by suitably formulating the compositions to use low levels of use, ie, no more than about 0.75%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.5%, by weight, of detersive surfactant, the potential for causing damage is reduced to minimum or is eliminated. Indeed, in the case of certain types of dyes and / or fabrics, the damage potential is inherently minimal or non-existent, so that higher levels of peroxide and / or surfactants can be used.

The highly preferred liquid compositions comprise from about 95% to about 99%, by weight, of water, and are formulated at a pH of from about 3 to about 8. The invention also encompasses a method of removing stains from a stained area of fabrics using a device as described below, comprising the steps of: (a) applying the peroxide-containing stain-cleaning composition of the above type, to said stained area; (b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabric with the treatment members of said device; and (c) applying force to said device, especially using an oscillating movement that is imparted to the device, conveniently, manually. The method of the present invention can be carried out on any convenient surface, such as the upper part of a table that holds the fabric being treated. In one embodiment, the process is carried out in conjunction with a receptacle located under the stained area of the fabric, thereby achieving an environment that is saturated or partially saturated with the liquid stain-cleaning composition. In another embodiment, the method is carried out in conjunction with an absorbent stain receptor which is located below the stained area of the fabric. In this embodiment, the components of the stain that are transmitted through the fabric by the coaction of the cleaning device of the present and the composition, are absorbed in the stain receptor and are not reabsorbed in the fabric that has been cleaned.

The invention also encompasses a general non-immersion cooling / cleaning process for treating a stained fabric, comprising a pre-stamped operation using a device in accordance with that described above, and comprising the general steps of: (a) applying the composition stain cleaner containing peroxide of the above type, to said stained area; (b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabric with the treatment members of a cleaning device, such as those described below; (c) applying force to said device, preferably using an oscillating movement; (d) placing the pre-stamped fabric together with a vehicle containing an aqueous cleaning / freshening composition in a container bag that is more preferably constructed, so that vapors are then expelled from the bag during step (e); (e) placing the bag in a hot-air clothes dryer or other hot air apparatus and operating the dryer with heat and stirring; and (f) removing the fabric from the bag. The invention also encompasses a general washing process for treating a stained area of a fabric, comprising a pre-demapped operation using a peroxide-containing stain cleaning composition and a cleaning device, comprising the general steps of: (a) applying said peroxide-containing stain cleaning composition to said stained area; (b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabric with members of treatment of said device; (c) applying force to said device, preferably using an oscillating movement; and (d) washing the fabric in a conventional aqueous washing process. The invention also encompasses cleaning equipment for "dry" cleaning without fabric immersion, comprising: (a) a device as described herein; (b) a peroxide-containing stain cleaning composition; (c) a reusable container bag that preferably expels steam; (d) multiple sheets for individual use that releasably contain a cleaning and / or fabric freshening composition; (e) optionally, a reusable container tray; and (f) optionally, one or more absorbent stain receptors. The equipment may additionally contain instructions for use that promote the use of a downward (and / or rolling) oscillating movement with said device, and which deters the user from a side-to-side rubbing movement. The instructions for use can also be included in the device itself. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All the aforementioned documents are, in part relevant, incorporated herein as reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spot cleaning device of the type used herein, having a convex base (301) whose circumference is substantially circular. Figure 2 is a perspective of the assembled arcuate cleaning device (201) used herein for the prior cleaning of spots located on fabrics. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the device, showing the arched base (202), the cylindrical arrow (203) and the bulb (204) comprising the assembly for the separate manual attachment of the sponge layer (205) and the layer of fibrous protuberances (206) that perform the cleaning function.

Figure 4 illustrates the use of the device using manual pressure to oscillate the device, thus causing protrusions extending outwardly of the convex head to strike the stained fabric (207), and impart a cleaning force perpendicular to the stain. The inconvenient forces from side to side (by shear stress) on the fabric are thus minimized or eliminated. A spotting pad (501) is shown below the stained area of the fabric. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cleaning / freshening sheet (1) of the type used herein.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sheet resting loosely on a container bag with notched steam ejection that is in a pre-bent condition. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sheet resting loosely inside the bag, which is ready to receive the fabrics that will be treated in a hot air clothes dryer. Figure 8 is a partial view of the notched wall of the bag and its arrangement in relation to the closure flap. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a non-grooved vapor expelling bag containing a loose cleaning / freshening sheet. Figure 10 is a graph of water expelling from a steam-ejecting "wrapper" style bag with the vapor ejection closure, from a normal bag, ie, a sealed bag without the ejection closure (as a control for the purposes of comparison); and of a "wrapping bag (2)" having a vapor ejection closure at each end. Figure 11 is a graph of water ejected in the same manner as in Figure 10, expressed in grams. Figure 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the operative regions of the present process with respect to the fabrics, in which wrinkles are formed, not wrinkled, wrinkles removed and wrinkles not eliminated. Figure 13 shows a preferred arcuate device for use herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compositions A problem associated with the pre-stain compositions in fabrics of the present is their tendency to leave visible residue on the surfaces of the fabric. Said residues are problematic and should preferably be avoided in the present, since the present process does not include conventional immersion or rinsing steps. Accordingly, the pre-stain compositions herein must, most preferably, be substantially free of various polyacrylate-based emulsifiers, polymeric antistatic agents, salts of inorganic builders and other waste forming materials, except at low levels of about 0.1% -0.3% and preferably 0%, in the final compositions. The water used in the compositions should preferably be distilled, deionized or otherwise made free of waste forming materials. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein should be formulated so as not to leave substantially visible residues on the fabrics being tampered with in accordance with the practice of this invention. Accordingly, in a preferred aspect of this invention, pre-stain (ie, stain-cleaning) compositions are provided that are substantially free of materials that leave visible residue on the treated fabrics. This necessarily means that the compositions of pre-spotting that are preferred are formulated to contain the highest possible level of volatile materials, preferably water, typically about 95%, preferably about 97.7%, a cleaning solvent such as BPP at a low but effective level, typically about 1% to about 4%, preferably about 2%, and surfactant at levels of from about 0.1% to about 0.7%. Advantageously, when formulated in this manner, said compositions exist as stable phase aqueous solutions in place of suspensions or emulsions. In this way, said compositions do not require the use of additional emulsifiers, thickeners, suspending agents and the like, all of which may contribute to the formation of undesirable visible residues on the fabric. Of course, it is necessary that the pre-stain compositions of the present perform their stain removal function efficiently and effectively. It has now been discovered that the use of the cleaning device, with the application of downward force (Z direction) in the manner described herein, provides an adequate performance of stain and dirt removal even with the pre-stain composition solutions. "high water content" mentioned above. More details on said pre-stain compositions are given below in the examples. In fact, as a global proposal, the chemical compositions that are used to provide the functions of pretreatment of stains and complete cleaning / freshening of the present comprise ingredients that are safe and effective for the intended use, and, as mentioned above, preferably do not leave unacceptable amounts of visible residue on the fabrics. Although conventional laundry detergents are typically formulated to provide adequate cleaning on cotton fabrics and cotton / polyester blends, the compositions herein must be formulated to also safely and effectively clean and refresh 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 dye removal or migration from the unfixed and fugitive dye spot in the fabrics being cleaned. In this regard, it is recognized that the solvents typically used in the dry cleaning procedures by immersion may remove some portion of certain types of dyes from certain types of fabrics. Nevertheless, said elimination is tolerable in immersion procedures, since the colorant is eliminated relatively uniformly along the surface of the fabric. In contrast, it has now been determined that high concentrations of certain types of cleaning ingredients at specific sites on the surfaces of the fabric can result in a localized and unacceptable dye removal. The preferred compositions herein are formulated to minimize or avoid this problem. The dye removal attributes of the present compositions can be compared with the cleaners described in technique using photographic or photometric measurements, or by means of a simple but effective visual graduation test. Numerical scoring units can be assigned to aid visual grading and to allow statistical processing of the data, if desired. Thus, in such a test, a colored garment (typically silk, which tends to be more susceptible to the loss of colorant than most wool or rayon fabrics) is treated by applying cleaning / freshening compositions using a Towel for absorbent white paper hands. Pressure is applied by hand and the amount of dye that is transferred on the white towel is visually determined. Numerical units are assigned by panelists that vary from: (1) "I think I see a little coloring on the towel"; (2) "I'm sure I see some dye on the towel"; (3) "I see a lot of coloring on the towel"; a (4) "I'm sure I see a lot of coloring on the towel." In addition to the above considerations, the compositions used herein are preferably formulated to be easily delivered and not so sticky in nature that they make the stain cleaning device unwieldy or difficult to use. However, and while not wishing to limit the present invention, the preferred compositions described herein provide a stain removal procedure that is both effective and aesthetically pleasing when used with a device in the manner described herein.

Aqueous compositions for spot cleaning (a) Bleach - the compositions herein may optionally comprise from about 0.25% to about 7% by weight of hydrogen peroxide. Preferred spot cleaners will comprise 0.5 to about 3% hydrogen peroxide. It will be appreciated that peroxide sources other than H2? 2 can be used herein. In this way, various peracids, persalts, perspirants and the like, known in the detergency art, can be used. However, such materials are expensive, difficult to formulate in liquid products, can leave residues on fabrics and offer no special advantages over H2? 2 when used in the present manner. (b) Solvent - the compositions herein can comprise from about 0% to about 10% by weight of butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP) solvent. Preferred spot cleaners will comprise 1-4% BPP. (c) Water - the low residue compositions that are preferred herein may comprise from about 90%, preferably from about 95.5% to about 99% by weight of water. (d) Surfactant - the compositions herein may optionally comprise from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of surfactants such as MgAES and NH4AES, amine oxides, ethoxylated alcohols or alkylphenols, alkyl sulfates and mixtures thereof. As mentioned above, the use of surfactants limited to the lower end of the scale is preferred for some dyes and types of fabrics. Typically, the solvent weight ratio of BPP: surfactant (s) is on a scale from about 10: 1 to about 1: 1. A preferred composition comprises 2% BPP / 0.4% MgAE-jS / 0.04% dimethylamine oxide of C- | 2- Another preferred composition comprises 4% BPP / 0.4% AS. (e) Optional ingredients - the compositions herein may comprise minor amounts of several optional ingredients, including bleach stabilizers, perfumes, preservatives and the like. If used, said optional ingredients will typically comprise from about 0.05% to about 2%, by weight, of the compositions, taking into account the residues on the clean fabrics. (f) Chelator - compositions containing H2O2 will also typically contain a chelating agent. The chelating agent is selected from those that, by themselves, they are stable in aqueous H2? 2 and they stabilize the H2? 2 by chelating wandering metal ions. Said chelating agents are typically present in low amounts and peroxide stabilization (0.01-1%) in commercial sources of hydrogen peroxide. The pH scale of the pre-stain compositions helps provide stability to hydrogen peroxide and is typically on the slightly acid basic scale from about 3 to about 8, preferably about 6.

Organic solvent The cleaning solvent that is preferred in the present (especially spot cleaning) is butoxypropoxypropanol (BPP), which is available in commercial quantities as a mixture of isomers in almost equal amounts. The isomers, and mixtures thereof, are useful herein. The isomeric structures are as follows: n-C4Hg-0-CH2CH2CH2-0-CH2CH2CH2-OH CH3 n-C4H9-0 ~ CH2-C-0-CH2CH2CH2-OH CH3 n-C4H9-0-CH2CH2CH2-0-CH2 ~ C ~ OH I H Although the bleach cleaning compositions herein work quite well only with the BPP, water and surfactant, they may also optionally contain other ingredients to further increase their stability. They may be present in the hydrotrope compositions such as sodium toluenesulfonate and sodium cumenesulfonate, short chain alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol, and the like. If used, said ingredients will typically comprise from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the stabilized compositions herein.

Surfactants Nonionic surfactants such as ethoxylated C- | n-C- | 6 alcohols can be used, for example, NEODOL 23-6.5. The alkylsulfate surfactants which can be used herein as cleaners and to stabilize the aqueous compositions are the primary alkylsulphates of Cß-C-is ("AS", the sodium salts of C-? Or C-14 are preferred), as well such as C-10-C20 alkylsulphates of branched and random chain, and the secundany alkyl sulphates of C- | nC- | 8 (2-3) of the formula CH3 (CH2)? (CHOS? 3-M +) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) and (CHOS? 3- +) CH2CH3 wherein xy (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water solubilizing cation, especially sodium, as well as unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate. The agents Alkylethylsulfate surfactants (AES) which are used herein are conventionally illustrated with the formula R (EO) xS? 3Z, wherein R is C- alkyl; nC- | 6, EO is -CH2CH2-O-, x is 1-10 and may include mixtures that are conventionally reported as averages, for example, (EO) 2.5, (EO) ß.5 and the like, and Z is a cation such as sodium, ammonium or magnesium (MgAES). C-2-Cl 6 alkyldimethylamine oxide surfactants can also be used. A preferred mixture comprises MgAE1 S / dimethylamine oxide of C-1 in a weight ratio of about 10: 1. Other surfactants which improve phase stability and which may be optionally used herein include the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, for example, C12-C-14 N-methylglucamine. The stabilized compositions of AS preferably comprise 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of the compositions herein. If the MgAES and amine oxides are used, they may comprise 0.01% -2% by weight of the compositions. The other surfactants can be used at similar levels. With reference to the above considerations, the following illustrates the various other ingredients that may be used in the liquid compositions herein, but is not intended to limit them. In general, stain cleaning compositions are formulated to be a bit "stronger" in cleaning power than cleaning / freshening compositions, although this may vary in accordance with the wishes of the formulator.

Other optional ingredients In addition to the water, the preferred BPP solvent, the optional H2O2 and the aforementioned surfactants, the liquid compositions used herein may comprise various optional ingredients, such as perfumes, preservatives, brighteners, salts for the control of viscosity, adjusters or pH regulators and the like. The following illustrates preferred scales for cleaning compositions that are used herein, but is not intended to be limiting thereof.

Ingredient Scale of formula (% by weight) BPP (solvent) 0.05-5 Surfactant 0-2 Perfume 0.01-1.5 Water The rest pH scale from approximately 6 to approximately 8.

Other solvents or cosolvents that may optionally be used herein include various glycol ethers, including materials marketed under such brands as Carbitol, methyl Carbitol, butyl Carbitol, propyl Carbitol and hexyl Cellosolve, and especially methoxypropoxypropanol (MPP), ethoxyproxypropanol (EPP), propoxypropoxypropanol (PPP) and all isomers and mixtures, respectively, of MPP, EPP and BPP, as well as butoxypropanol (BP) and the like, and mixtures thereof. If they are used, said solvents or cosolvents typically comprise from about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight of the aqueous compositions herein. Non-aqueous compositions (less than 50% water) that can be optionally used in the pre-stain step can comprise the same solvents. The compositions that are preferred to be used in the cleaning / freshening step in the dryer of the process herein are as follows: Ingredient% 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 at 4% 'Especially ethoxylated alcohols such as those described herein.

The fabric freshness compositions may also contain anionic surfactants. Such anionic surfactants are well known in the detergency art. Commercially available surfactants such as TWEEN®, SPAN®, AEROSOL OTR and various sulfosuccinic esters are especially useful herein.

Antalizing Agents The compositions herein may also optionally, but preferably, contain one or more chelating agents to stabilize the H 02. As noted above, the selection of the chelating agents is typically within the competence of the manufacturer of the aqueous H 2 O 2 used in the present. Several phosphonate chelators are known to stabilize H202. Aminophosphonates are especially useful for this purpose. Vanos aminophosphonates are available under the trade name DEQUESTR from Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri. Representative but non-limiting examples include ethylenediaminetetrakisethylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid and the water soluble salts thereof. Aminotris (methylene phosphonic acid) or its water soluble salts (such as DEQUEST-2000R) is a chelator that is preferred.

Cleaning device As shown in figures 2 and 13, a style of cleaning device that is preferred employed in the stain cleaning process of the present invention has as its base element a cleaning surface which is curvilinear, i.e. which has a generally convex and arched configuration. In another embodiment, the device may have a convex and circular base (301) as shown in Figure 1. Overall, the arched device is reminiscent of an old desk eraser instrument with arched and flat sides, but with multiple projections ( how do you get them? more in detail later) extending outward from its operative surface. The arched and convex configuration of the treatment surface of the device of the present provides several advantages over the circular and convex cleaning devices. First, the arched configuration allows applying downward force (in the Z direction) efficiently and effectively to the 1 stained areas of the fabric. Second, the configuration persuades the user not to disadvantageously employ a rub movement from side to side (in the X-Y direction) with the device. Third, the preferred type of cleaning element, with its plurality of protuberances, is easier to apply and adhere to the arcuate and convex device than to a circular and convex device. This is because the element can be deposited more easily on the convex surface of the arched device and thus, it can be fixed more easily to it with glue or other means. Accordingly, the convex and arched device of the present is superior to the convex and circular device with respect to its ease of manufacture on a commercial scale. However, any type of device can be used in the pre-stain step of the present invention. The back face of the device can have any configuration, for example, concave, convex, flat, arched, etc., to provide a means for holding the device by hand. In a preferred embodiment, the handle comprises an arrow extending outwardly from the rear face of said base member, preferably from the center of the rear face, and most preferably wherein said arrow is substantially perpendicular to the postepor face. For ease of handling, the far end of the arrow preferably terminates in a bulb that is sized to fit the user's hand. By employing a handle in the form of an arrow that is substantially pedendicular to the operative convex base member, the user is further incited to use the device in the desired oscillating motion, rather than a rubbing motion, which would be impractical because of the perpendicularity of the arrow in relation to the arcuate operational treatment surface of the device. In this way, the complete configuration of the device, with its convex base and clamping arrow, immediately prompts the proper use of the device. Optionally, simple operation instructions can be placed on the device such as "Swing, Do not Rub" as a reminder. In a further embodiment, all or a part of the body of the device, including the base and / or the handle, can be hollow, thereby providing a cavity that can be used to store multi-purpose portions of the cleaning composition ("pre-stain") until the moment of use. In this aspect of the invention, the device can be equipped with suitable means for the output of the composition on the stained areas of the fabric. In this way, holes, channels or the like can pass through the base member to provide communication between the storage cavity such that the stain cleaning composition can leave the device on the treatment surface and from there on the area stained with the fabric that is being treated. In another embodiment, the device may be equipped with a suitable optician from which the composition may be poured, squeezed, dripped or otherwise dispensed from the device onto the stained area of the fabric. In one embodiment, the treatment members comprise a multiplicity of projections, for example, bristle-like filaments. Preferably, said treatment members have an elastic sponge base which is fixed to the convex surface of the arcuate base member. This elastic base also acts as a cushion to cushion the impact of the bristles on the surface of the fabric, also helping to minimize harmful effects on the surface of the fabric and to more evenly distribute the mechanical forces.

Dimensions of the device The cleaning device of the present can have any desired size. The device as shown in Figure 3 has a size that is convenient for manual use. In this embodiment, the length of the arcuate base member (202) with its convex and generally rectangular configuration measures approximately 57.15 mm; its width is approximately 31.75 mm; and its thickness is approximately 15.8 mm. The length of the cylindrical arrow (203) extending perpendicularly outward from the rear of the arcuate base to the base of the bulb (204) is approximately 35.6 mm, and its diameter is approximately 19 mm. He bulb (204) which serves as a hand rest (or palm) at the terminal end of the arrow (203) has a circumference at its widest point of approximately 133 mm. The combination of arrow and bulb thus comprises the handle for the device. The complete height of the device measured from the center of the upper part of the bulb (204) to the central point of the front surface of the convex base is approximately 7.3 cm. The uncompressed thickness of the sponge layer 205 can vary, and typically measures about 2.54 mm. The uncompressed thickness of the filamentous projection layer (206) can vary in the same manner and is typically approximately 2.54 mm. Similar dimensions are typical for the circular and convex device of Figure 12, whose circular base member (301) typically has a diameter of approximately 1.91-7.62 cm. In the preferred embodiment of the arched device shown in Figure 13, the length of the arched base member (403) with its convex and generally rectangular configuration is approximately 5 cm; its width is approximately 3.2 cm; and its thickness is approximately 0.8 cm. The width of the arrow (404) at its midpoint is approximately 2.54 cm and the thickness at its midpoint is approximately 1.9 cm. The length of the arrow (404) extending perpendicularly outwardly from the rear of the arched base of the bulb (405) is approximately 3.2 cm. The bulb (405) which serves as a rest for the hand (or palm) has a circumference at its widest point of approximately 14.6 cm. The combination of arrow and bulb thus comprises the handle for the device. The total height of the device measured from the center of the upper part of the bulb (405) to the central part of the front surface of the convex base is approximately 7.6 cm. The dimensions of the sponge layer (402) and of the protuberances (401) are as mentioned above.

Stain Removal The convex, arrow, and palm rest base of the fabric cleaning devices that are used in the pre-stain operation of the entire process herein can be manufactured by injection molding or other suitable methods using polymers such as polyethylene. and polypropylene of high and low density, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, acrylics, acétales, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and the like. Polyethylene and high density polypropylene are within this scale and are preferred for use herein. Bromel free materials are preferably used.

Treatment members on the devices herein may comprise natural or synthetic bristles, natural or synthetic sponges, absorbent pads such as cotton, rayon, regenerated cellulose and the like, as well as the HYDRASPUNR fabric described herein and combinations thereof. Various useful materials are well known in the techniques of cleaning conventional brushes and toothbrushes (see U.S. Patent No. 4,637,660) and in various cleaning utensils. The sponges, pads and the like can typically have a thickness of about 1 mm to about 1.25 cm and can be glued to the convex front treatment surface of the device. Preferably, the sponges, pads, bristle pads, etc. are free of brightener and are typically co-extensive substantially with the entire treatment surface. The protrusions projecting outward from the treatment surface of the base of the device may be in the form of blunt or rounded bristles, which may be provided uniformly across the entire treatment surface or in clusters. The protrusions may be in the form of monofilament loops, which may be circular, ovoid or elongated, or may be cut loops. The protrusions may comprise groups of braided fibers, extruded knots, molded finger-like appendages, animal hair, cross-linked foams, roughness molded on the surface of the member, and the like. The protuberances made of monofilament fibers can be straight, twisted or twisted. Again, these are preferably free of brightener. In one embodiment, the treatment member may comprise multiple components. In particular, the treatment member may comprise an absorbent base material which may be, for example, a natural or synthetic sponge, an absorbent cellulose sheet or pad, or the like. In contact with and extending out from this base matepal are multiple projections as described above. A specific example of this embodiment is a treatment member comprising multiple loop-shaped protrusions made of monofilament fibers exiting from a sponge base layer. In this embodiment, the absorbent base layer can act as a reservoir which feeds the stain-cleaning composition to the protuberances and hence onto the fabrics being treated. In various optional embodiments, the treatment members present on the convex surface of the device herein may comprise a mixed multilayer material comprising a sponge-like elastic reinforcement material for a fibrous layer having multiple fibrous elements extending outwardly. from it. Said mixed materials can be fixed permanently or semi-permanently to the treatment members using glue, pressure sensitive adhesives or other conventional means and, typically, they are also substantially coextensive with the entire arcuate surface of the device. Such mixed materials can be manufactured from conventional materials, for example, using a sponge, foam or other absorbent base pad material of approximately 0.5-20 ml thick and a fiber layer such as a conventional painter's bast with fibers having a length of about 0.05 mm to about 20 mm. The protuberances herein are typically provided as a bed or mat comprising multiple strands or loops extending therefrom in the Z direction. Suitable and familiar sources include fibrous carpet type materials, tow type materials for paint, and Similar In such modalities, the treatment member will comprise several thousand protuberances per cm-2 With the loop protuberances, there will typically be 10-500, preferably approximately 60-150 loops per cm2. The choice of source, style and number of protuberances are issues at the discretion of the manufacturer, and the above illustrations are not designed to limit the invention. The protrusions should preferably extend outwardly from the surface of the treatment member at a distance of at least about 0 1 mm, preferably about 2 54 mm. there is an upper limit for its length, there is substantially no reason for the protrusions to extend more than about 1 25 cm The protuberances may be made of plastic, rubber or any other suitable elastic material that is stable in the presence of the cleaning composition The fibrous projections can be made to Rather than synthetic or natural fibers The diameters of the fibers can typically range from 0 0025 mm to 0 5 mm Again, this is a matter of selection and is not designed to be limiting A preferred embodiment comprises a sponge layer of approximately 1 5 mm at approximately 7 mm thick having a plurality of fibrous projections extending outwardly therefrom, said projections comprise polyester pillars 6,6 free of brightener having a length of about 2 54 mm and a denier of approximately 45+, that is, approximately 76 μm. Said fibers can be adhered to the sponge base using felting or other techniques. In another embodiment, the protrusions are in the form of a multiplicity of hardened ovoid loop fibers extending outwardly from the treatment surface. Said loop fibers may comprise, for example, 0.18 mm polypropylene monofilament loops extending at least about 0.76 mm, typically from about 2.0 mm to about 1.5 cm, outwardly from the surface of a reinforcing material. The diameter of the loops at their widest point is approximately 1.3 mm. A suitable material for said loop-shaped projections is commercially available from Aplix Inc., number 200, non-shaved loop, part number DM32M000-QY. This material comprises a nylon reinforcement with approximately 65 loops per cm2 extending from its surface. It will be appreciated that the devices herein can be manufactured from a variety of plastic, glass, wood, etc. materials, and with various overall shapes, decorations and the like, in accordance with the wishes of the manufacturer. If desired, the device can be prepared from transparent or translucent materials. This can be useful under circumstances in which the device is hollow and provides a deposit for the previous stain composition, since the user can visually judge the level of "filling". Of course, the devices are preferably made from materials that will not be affected by the different ingredients used in the cleaning compositions. The size of the devices is completely optional. It is contemplated that fairly large devices (eg, convex surface of 200-1000 cm 2) may be suitable for assembly and use in a commercial cleaning establishment. At home, the device is designed for manual use, and its dimensions are generally a bit smaller. Typically, the area of the convex treatment surface for domestic use will be on the scale of about 4 cm2 to about 200 cm2. This is vapable in accordance with the manufacturer's wishes. Although the surface area of the treatment members can be adjusted as desired by the manufacturer, it is desirable that a device for domestic and manual use has a treatment surface whose surface area is in the range of approximately 5 cm2 to approximately 70 cm2.

Stain Receptor A stain receiver can be optionally used in the pre-stain operation herein. Said stain receptor can be any absorbent material that is saturated with the liquid composition used in the pre-stain operation. Disposable paper towels, cloth towels such as towels BOUNTYT ^ cloths for cleaning, etc. can be used. However, in a preferred embodiment the spot sink is specifically designed to "suck" or "drive" the liquid compositions out of the stained area. A receiver that is preferred consists of a non-woven pad. In a preferred embodiment, the entire nonwoven material is an absorbent structure composed of approximately 72% wood pulp and approximately 28% polypropylene polypropylene (PE / PP) bicomponent filamentous fiber. It measures approximately 1,524 mm thick. Optionally, but preferably, it has a barrier film on its back face to prevent the cleaning liquid from passing to the surface on which the pre-stain operation is being carried out. The structure of the receiver establishes a capillary gradient from its upper fluid receiving layer to its infepor layer. The gradient is achieved by controlling the density of the entire material and stratifying the components so that there is a low capillary suction in the upper layer and a greater capillary suction force within the Lower layer. The lower capillary suction comes from having a larger synthetic fiber content in the supepor layer (these fibers have surfaces with higher contact angles, and a correspondingly lower water affinity than wood pulp fibers) than in the outer layer. lower. More particularly, the stain and absorbent article of the present invention can be conveniently manufactured using methods known in the art for making thermally bonded and non-woven air-laid structures ("TBAL"). As a complete proposal, the TBAL manufacturing processes typically comprise spreading a belt of absorbent fibers such as relatively short 4-5 mm wood fibers, in which are bicomponent fibers of 30-50 mm long which are mixed. they merge slightly with the application of heat to achieve a thermal bond. The two-component fibers interspersed along the wood pulp fibers then act to "stick" the entire mat. Unlike conventional TBAL-type structures, the arrangement of the two-component fibers in the upper and lower layers of the stain receptor herein is not uniform. Instead, the upper layer (fluid receptor) of the fibers comprising the spot receptor is relatively richer in two-component fibers than in wood pulp (or other cellulosic fibers). Since the two-component fibers are made of synthetic polymers that are relatively hydrophobic, the upper layer of fibers in the stain receptor tends to be more hydrophobic compared to the lower layer of fibers which, since it contains a high proportion of pulp of wood, tends to be more hydrophilic. This difference in hydrophobic / hydrophilic character between the upper and lower layers in the spot receptor helps to extract the water (for example, the aqueous compositions herein) and the stain materials out of the fabrics that are being treated. way discovers in the present. To illustrate the foregoing in more detail, in one embodiment, the present stain receiver and its supepor layer (fluid receptor and which will be placed against the soiled garment) is approximately 50% two-component fiber and approximately 50% wood pulp , by weight, with a basis weight of approximately 50 grams / m2 (gsm). The lower layer is an 80/20 (weight) blend of wood pulp and two component fiber with a basis weight of approximately 150 gsm. These relationships can be vanated, as long as the upper layer is more hydrophobic than the lower layer. For example, upper layers of 60/40, 70/30, etc., of bicoponent fiber / wood can be used. Lower layers of 90/10, 65/35, 70/30, etc., wood / bicomponent fiber can also be used.

Spray Control Binder Sprinkler A heat-labile latex binder can optionally be sprayed onto the top layer of the spot-receiving article to help control the yarn and increase strength. A variety of alternative resins can be used for this purpose. In this way, the surface of the top layer can be sprayed with an interlaxable latex binder (Airflex 124, supplied by Air Products) at a concentration of about 3 to 6 grams per square meter. This binder has no great affinity for water in relation to the wood pulp, and thus does not significantly affect the relative hydrophobic character of the top layer. Cold or hot waving, sonic bonding, heat bonding and / or stitch bonding can also be used along all edges of the receiver to further reduce the tendency to fray.

Reinforcement sheet When prepared in this manner, the two-layer absorbent structure comprising the spot receptor is sufficiently strong so that it can be used as such. However, in order to avoid a strong impact of the liquid on the upper part of the table by another treatment surface selected by the user, it is preferred to fix a fluid-impermeable barrier sheet to the lower surface of the lower layer. This reinforcing sheet also improves the integrity of the overall stain receiving article. The lower surface of the lower layer can be coated by extrusion with a layer of PE or PP film using (0.013 mm -0.05 mm), preferably (0.019 mm), using conventional methods. The film layer is designed to be a barrier without small holes to prevent any unwanted leakage of the liquid composition beyond the receiver. This reinforcement layer can be printed with instructions for use, enhanced and / or decorated, as desired by the formulator. The spot sink is designed to be used outside the dryer. However, since the receiver can inadvertently be placed in the dryer and subjected to high temperatures, it is preferred that the reinforcing sheet be made of a heat-resistant film such as polypropylene or nylon.

Base weight This may vary depending on the amount of cleaning / cooling solution provided / planned to be absorbed. The preferred stain receiving structure shows a horizontal absorbency of about 4-15 g of water of each gram of non-woven material. A typical receiver of 90 mm x 140 mm absorbs approximately 10-20 g of water.

Since the fluid is rarely used in the typical stain removal procedure, much less capacity is actually required. Therefore, a practical basis weight scale is from about 10 g to about 50 g.

Size The size of the preferred receiver is approximately 90 mm by 140 mm, but other sizes can be used. The form can be varied.

Fibers Short fibers and components of PE / PP polyethylene / polypropylene and standard wood pulp (ground in hammer mill) of conveniently available 0.0075-0.021 mm are used in the construction of the preferred receiver. Other common short fibers such as polyester, acrylic, nylon and two components thereof can be used as the synthetic component. Again, capillary suction constraints need to be considered when selecting these fibers and their sizes or deniers. The larger denier retracts from the capillary suction as does the surface hydrophobic character. The fiber of absorbent wood pulp can also be replaced by cotton, hemp, rayon and others. If desired, the lower layer may also comprise so-called "superabsorbent" (AGM) absorbent gelling materials that are known to be used in the manufacture of diapers and materials for feminine sanitary napkins Said AGM's may comprise from 1% to 20% by weight of the lower layer.

Thickness The overall thickness (unrestricted, measured) of the spot receptor is approximately (1,524 mm), but it can be several widely. The lower end can be limited by the desire to provide impression of absorbency. (0.6 mm -5.1 mm) is a reasonable scale.

Capillary suction / density The overall density of the spot receptor affects both the rate of absorption and the capacity of the fluid. The typical wood pulp containing absorbent articles has a density (unrestricted, measured) that varies from approximately 0.12-0.15 g / cc +/- 0.05. The preferred two-layer spot receptor in the present also has a density on the same scale, but can be adjusted outside of this scale. Higher densities increase rigidity; lower density reduces overall strength and makes fraying more likely. The capillary suction is determined by the type of fibers, the size of the fibers and the density of the structure. Fabrics can be sold in many varieties, and they will show a large scale of capillary suction, by themselves. It is desirable to construct a receiver that has a capillary suction of greater surface than that of the stained garment that is being treated.

Colors White is the preferred color, since it will show the spots better than if they are removed from the fabrics that are being treated. However, there is no other functional limit to color.

Enhancement The preferred stain receiving structure is embossable with any desired pattern or logo.

Optional non-woven types (NW) Although the TBAL staining structure is preferred to allow for density control, good thickness perception, good absorbency and good elasticity, other types of NWs that can be reasonably used are hydroentangled, thermally charged, calendered-bonded, and other good rubbing substrate manufacturing processes (including thermally bonded wet lay and others).

Manufacturing The preferred two layer stain receptor fabrication is conducted using conventional TBAL methods. In one mode, the layer rich in lower wood fibers tends first in the lower part and the layer rich in higher synthetic fiber tends over it. Optional binder sprinkling is applied to the top layer at any time convenient. The resulting two-layer structure is collected in rolls (which compacts the overall structure in some way). In general, the two-layer (unrestricted) structure has a thickness of approximately 1524 μm and a density of approximately 0.13-0.15 g / cm3. This density may vary slightly depending on the speed of use of the binder spray. The optional reinforcing sheet is applied by passing the sheet-like structure through nip rolls, together with a sheet of the reinforcing film. Again, conventional procedures are used. If desired, and as a way of saving costs, the relative thickness of the lower and upper layers can be varied. In this way, since the wood pulp is less expensive than the two-component fibers, the manufacturer may decide to lay a relatively thicker lower layer and on top of it a relatively thinner top layer. In this way, instead of a structure whose upper / lower layer thickness is about 1: 1, scales of 0.2: 1, 0.3: 1, 0.5: 1 and the like can be selected. If more absorbency is required, the relationships can be reversed. Said considerations are within the consideration of the manufacturer. The two-layer stain receiver is designed to be made so cheap that it can be discarded after use. However, the structures are strong enough that it is possible to use them multiple times. In any case, the user must place the item in such a way that the "clean" areas are located below the stained areas of the fabric that are being treated to prevent the release of old spots of the receiver of old spots on the fabric again. Another type of stain receptor for use herein comprises functional absorbent materials ("FAM's") that are in the form of water absorbing foams having a controlled capillary size. The physical structure and the high capillarity resulting from the FAM type foams provide very effective water absorption, while at the same time the chemical composition of the FAM typically makes it highly lipophilic. In this way, the FAM can provide essentially hydrophilic and lipophilic character simultaneously (FAM foams can be treated to make them hydrophilic) Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic FAM can be used here. For pre-stain removal, the stained area of the garment or fabric sample is placed on a FAM section followed by treatment with an aqueous or non-aqueous cleansing solution together with the use of the cleaning device herein to provide mechanical agitation. The repeated oscillation with the device and the detergency effect of the solution serves to release the dirt and transfer it to the FAM. Although spot cleaning progresses, the suction effects of the FAM capillaries cause the cleaning solution and stain residues to be carried to the FAM, where the stain residue is retained to a large extent. At the end of this step the stain, as well as all the cleaning solution, is found to have been removed from the fabric that is being treated and transferred to the FAM. This leaves the surface stains only wet, with a minimum residue of the cleaning solution / stain residue that can lead to undesirable rings on the fabrics. The manufacture of FAM type foams to be used as the stain receptor herein does not form part of the present invention. The manufacture of FAM foam is widely discounted in the patent literature; see, for example: E.U.A. 5,260,345 of DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued November 9, 1993; E.U.A. 5,268,224 from DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued December 7, 1993; E.U.A. 5,147,345 of Young, LaVon and Taylor, issued on September 15, 1992 and the patent of E.U.A. 5,318,554 attached issued on June 7, 1994; E.U.A. 5,149,720 of DesMarais, Dick and Shiveley, issued September 22, 1992 and the attached 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 of DesMarais, issued on October 4, 1994; PCT applications 93/04115 published on March 4, 1993, and E.U.A. 5,292,777 of 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 March 19, 1996; E.U.A 5,550,167 of DesMarais, issued on August 27, 1996. As noted above for the TBAL spot receptor, the FAM type spot receptor can also be provided with a Reinforcement sheet on its lower surface to improve its integrity and help prevent fluid shock. Although the compositions and methods of the present invention can be used under any circumstances where cleaning / cooling of fabrics is desired, they are especially useful in a domestic fabric-cooling / "dry" cleaning process without immersion, as described in more detail. detail later.

Container bag High water content compositions can be loaded onto a carrier substrate such as a woven or non-woven cloth or towel, and placed in a bag environment in a dryer for heat operating laundry or the like, to eliminate odors of fabrics as an alternative to dry cleaning or "fabric freshness" procedure. The warm, moist environment created within this bag volatizes the malodorous components in the form of a "steam distillation" process, and moistens the fabrics and dirt on them. This wetting of the fabrics can distend pre-established wrinkles, but it has now been discovered that too wet fabrics can experience the establishment of new wrinkles during the drying stage towards the end of the dryer cycle. Proper selection of the amount of water used in the process and, importantly, proper expulsion of the bag in the present manner can minimize wrinkling. Moreover, if the bag is not ejected, the materials of bad smell volatilized removed from the fabrics can be undesirably redeposited on them. Alternatively, however, if the wrinkling of the fabric is not of importance, a sealed pouch can be used. The present invention thus provides a vapor ejection vessel bag that is designed to be used in a fabric cleaning / refreshing operation. The bag is preferably designed for multiple uses and reuses, and is specially adapted for use by the consumer in any conventional hot air dryer apparatus, such as those found in homes or in commercial laundry / cleaning establishments. The bag of the present is specifically designed to expel water and other vapors emanating from the inside of the bag when used in the manner described herein. The vapors released from the bag are then relieved by the expulsion of air from the dryer. As will be better understood later, the preferred bag is provided with a vapor ejection closure that provides one or more spaces through which the vapors are released from the bag during use. In a preferred embodiment, the size of this space is selected to provide controlled vapor release from the bag under the indicated operating conditions. Although other operating conditions and sizes of spaces can be used, a preferred balance has now been determined between the capacity of vapor containment within the bag to carry out the cleaning / cooling function and the release of steam from the bag using the principles described below. Alternatively, the bag may be provided with a series of holes or other fenestrations that provide for vapor ejection. However, said ejection is not as effective as the closure for expulsion of steam. In one embodiment, the present invention encompasses a vapor ejection container bag comprising an open end, a closed end and flexible side walls having internal and external surfaces, the open end of said bag having a section of a side wall that is extends beyond said open end to provide a flexible flap, said flap has first fastening device fixed thereto, said flap is foldable to extend over a portion of the outer surface of the opposite side wall, said flap is attachable to the outer surface of the opposite wall of the bag engaging said first clamping device on the inner surface of the flap with a second clamping device present on the outer surface of said opposite side wall, said first and second clamping devices when they are coupled to each other. this way they form a fastener, thus providing a closure for the ext Open oar of the bag. Said first and second clamping devices are arranged in such a way that, when coupled, they provide vapor ejection along said closure, especially at the lateral ends of the closure. The bag herein is most preferably formed of film that is heat resistant to approximately 204 ° C-260 ° C. Nylon is a film material that is preferred to form the bag. In another embodiment, the end of a wall of the bag has notches along a substantial portion of its width to facilitate and optimize the ejection of steam. In an alternative embodiment, the flap can be folded to provide closure, to be encased within the opposite side wall, and secured there with a fastener. In this way, the vapors are expelled along the closure and especially at the lateral edges of the closure. In yet another embodiment, the side walls are the same size and no flap is provided. Fastening devices intermittently positioned along portions of the inner surfaces of the side walls are engaged when the edges of the side walls are pressed together to provide a closure. One or more spaces for the expulsion of steam are formed in said regions of the closure in which a clamping device is not present. Although the fasteners herein may comprise chemical adhesives, the bag is preferably designed for multiple uses. Accordingly, reusable mechanical fasteners are preferred herein. Any reusable mechanical fastener or fastening means can be used, as long as the fastener elements can be arranged in such a way that, when the bag is closed and the fastener is engaged, a closure with vapor ejection is provided. Non-limiting examples include: bags in which said first and second fastening devices, together, comprise a hook and loop fastener (type VELCRoR); fasteners hooks such as those described in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,058,247 to Thomas & Blaney, issued on October 22, 1991; bags in which said first and second fastening devices, together, comprise a hook and cord type fastener; bags in which said first and second fastener devices, together, comprise an adhesive fastener; bags in which said first and second securing devices, together, comprise a beveled fastener; bags in which said ppmero and second fastening devices, together, form a brooch-type fastener, as well as hook and eye fasteners, ZIP-type fasteners LO «R, zipper fasteners and the like, as long as the fasteners are placed in a manner such that the expulsion of the steam is achieved. Other fasteners may be employed, as long as the steam ejection is maintained when the bag is closed, and the fastener is strong enough so that the flap does not open when the bag and its contents rotate in the clothes dryer. The clamping devices can be positioned so that the multiple vapor ejection spaces are formed along the closure, or at the side edges, or so that the space is inclined towards one end of the closure. In yet another embodiment, both ends of the bag are provided with a vapor ejection closure. This type of bag is called in Figures 6, 7, and 8"Wrap Bag (2)". Preferred prior-type bags designed for use in a conventional American-style automatic hot air clothes dryer will have volumes in the range of approximately 10,000 cm3 to approximately 25,000 cm3.

The invention also employs a method for cleaning or cooling fabrics by contacting said fabrics with a fabric cleaning / freshening composition comprising water in the aforementioned vapor ejection container bag. This process is conveniently carried out in a hot air clothes dryer, or the like, at an operating temperature of the dryer from about 40 ° C to about 150 ° C, whereby the bad odors present in said fabrics are expelled. of the bag through the closure for steam ejection. The design of the expulsion capacity of the bag achieves an adequate balance of the previous effects. A tightly sealed, vapor-tight "closed" bag will not vent odors and will excessively wet fabrics, resulting in wrinkling. A bag design that is too "open" will not sufficiently moisten the fabrics or dirt to mobilize heavier odors or to eliminate pre-existing wrinkles in the fabric. Moreover, the bag must be sufficiently "closed" to swell and create an empty volume under the pressure of water vapor, where the fabrics can freely rotate inside the bag and be exposed to vapors. The bag should be designed with sufficient expulsion to trap a portion of water vapors (especially at the start of the dryer cycle) but to allow most of the water to escape toward the end of the cycle. In other words, the vapor release rate is preferably optimized to ensure a vapor ejection and vapor capture balance.

A preferred bag design employs a water vapor impermeable film such as nylon, with a flap closure (preferably with a hook and loop fastener type VELCROR) as that of a large wrap. The degree of relaxation in the fold portion of the closure flap can be varied to provide an air space for vapor ejection or a partial opening that controls the rate of vapor ejection from the bag. In another embodiment, a notch is cut along the edge of the side wall opposite the flap to further adjust the ejection. The fastening devices shown in the figures run only partially along the closure, thus allowing expulsion to occur at the lateral ends of the closure. As can be seen in Figure 12, the aim of the present is preferably to operate within the region of Not Wrinkled / Wrinkles Removed from the graph. This region may vary with the type of fabric. However, as a complete proposal, by conducting the procedure in the manner described herein, the formation of new wrinkles is minimized and wrinkles that are already present in the garments before treatment are eliminated. Moreover, with respect to the bad smell, it is preferred to supply sufficient water (grams of water on the substrate) to achieve a substantial elimination of the bad odor. In practice, this means that the operation with the bag expelled from the present is carried out under conditions towards the right portion of the curve, ie, in the range of between about 15.2 to about 31 grams of liquid composition for cleaning / refreshing fabrics. In reference to the graph, less liquid can be used, but wrinkles will not be removed from the fabrics efficiently and the elimination of the bad smell will be compromised. Too much liquid, that is, approximately 38 grams on this graph, for a bag with 60% ejection (60 WE as will be described later) will cause wrinkles to start forming on the fabrics. A higher WE bag can operate at the ideal scale at higher moisture levels (eg, "Wrap Bag 2"). With respect to these considerations, it has been observed that the carrier substrate used should not be so saturated with the liquid compositions herein that it is "soaked". If it is excessively wet ("soaked") the transfer of localized water to fabrics that are being cleaned and cooled may cause wrinkling. Although it could have been thought that a larger carrier substrate could have been used to provide more liquid capacity, this may be self-limiting. The carrier sheets that are very large can become entangled with the fabrics being cleaned / refreshed, again resulting in excessive localized wetting of the fabrics. Accordingly, although the carrier sheets used herein are optimal for bag and dryer sizes as mentioned, their sizes may, without undue experimentation, be adjusted proportionately for larger or smaller capacities of the dryer's bag and / or tub. Fabrics, when removed from the bag, will normally contain a certain amount of moisture. This will vary according to the type of fabric. By For example, the silk treated at the optimum scale shown in the graph may contain from about 0.5% to about 2.5% moisture by weight. The wool may contain up to about 4% moisture by weight. The rayon can also contain up to about 4% moisture. This does not mean that the fabrics are necessarily "soaked" to the touch. Instead, fabrics can feel cool or damp and cool due to evaporative water losses. The fabrics secured in this way can be hung for additional air drying, thus preventing the reestablishment of wrinkles. The fabrics can be ironed or subjected to other finishing procedures, in accordance with the wishes of the user. The following is designed to assist the formulator in the manufacture and use of steam ejection bags in the manner of this invention, but is not designed to be limiting.

Dimensions of the bag Figure 7 shows the total dimensions of a bag with notches; that is, length (7) to bending line 27, 70.2 cm; width (8) of the bag 66 cm, with a flap to the base of the fold line (11) of 6 cm. In the tests reported hereinafter, this bag is referred to by its open dimensions of 66.04 cm x 76.20 cm. Figure 8 gives additional details of the placement of the different elements of the bag with notches. In this mode, all dimensions They are the same for both the left and right sides of the bag. The dimensions herein are for an open bag measuring approximately 76.2 cm in total length (including the flap) and approximately 66 cm in width. The distance (9) from the side edge of the bag to the outermost edge of the holding device (3) located inside the flap (5) is approximately 5 cm. In this embodiment, the fastening device (3) inside the wall (2a) comprises the loop portion of a VELCROR-type strip whose width (13) measures approximately 1.9 cm and whose total length is approximately 55.9 cm. The fastening device (6) is similarly placed on the outside of the wall (2b) and comprises the hook portion of a VELCROR type strip of 1.9 cm. The distance (9) can be decreased or increased to decrease or increase the ejection at the edges of the flap when the flap is closed and the fastener is engaged. The distance (10) between the uppermost edge of the flap and the base of the notch is approximately 7.3 cm. The distance (14) between the lateral edge of the bag and the lateral edge of the notch is approximately 0.64 cm. The distance (15) between the uppermost edge of the flap and the fold (11) is approximately 6 cm. The distance (16) between the uppermost edge of the flap and the leading edge of the VELCROR type strip (3) attached to the flap is approximately 0.95 cm. The distance (17) between the fold (11) and the lowermost edge of the notch is approximately 1.27 cm. This distance can also be varied to decrease or increase the expulsion of steam. A scale of 0.64-3.81 cm is typical. The distance (18) between the uppermost edge of the VELCROR type strip (6) and the lower edge of the notch is approximately 1.9 cm. The distance (19) between the lower edge of the (3) type VELCROR and the fold (11) is approximately 3.17 cm. Figure 9 gives further details of the dimensions of a not-enclosed envelope bag of the above total size, comprising side walls (2a) and (2b). Again, each strip (3) and (6) type VELCROR measures approximately 1.9 cm in width and approximately 55.9 cm in length. Each strip is positioned to be inward of each of the side edges of the wall and the flap of the bag finished by approximately 5 cm. The distance (12) between the leading edge of the side wall (2b) to the base edge of the fastener strip (3) on the flap portion of the bag is approximately 6.35 cm. The distance (20) between the base edge of the fastening strip (6) to the front edge of the side wall (2b) is approximately 5.7 cm. The distance (21) between the leading edge of the fastening strip (6) to the leading edge of the side wall is approximately 3.5 cm. The distance (22) between the fold (11) and the base edge of the fastening strip (3) is approximately 5 cm. The distance (23) between the leading edge of the fastening strip (3) and the uppermost edge of the flap which is an extension of the side wall (2a) is approximately 0.64 cm. The distance (24) is approximately 9.2 cm. As in the previous notched bag, the placement and length of the fasteners can be adjusted to decrease or increase the ejection.

The construction of the heat-resistant steam ejection bag that is preferred and that is used herein to contain the fabrics in a hot air clothes dryer or similar device preferably employs heat-resistant films that provide strength to the temperature necessary for the internal self-sealing and deformation of the external surface sometimes caused by the superheated clothes dryers. Furthermore, the bags are resistant to the chemical agents used in the cleaning or freshness compositions herein. material of the bag, unacceptable results such as melting of the bag, melted holes in the bags and sealing of the wall-to-wall bag are avoided. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener is also constructed of a heat-resistant material. shows in figures 7 and 9, in one embodiment, a heat resistant nylop 6 film of 0 025-0 076 mm is folded and sealed in a container bag Sealing can be done using normal impulse heating equipment In an alternative form, a nylon sheet is simply folded in half and sealed along two of its edges In Yet another embodiment, the bags can be made by air blowing operations. The method of assembling the bags can vary, depending on the equipment available to the manufacturer, and is not critical to the practice of the invention. The dimensions of the container bag can be vary, depending on the desired end use. For example, a relatively smaller bag may be provided that is sufficient to contain one or two silk blouses.

Alternatively, a larger bag suitable for handling a man's suit can be provided. Typically, the bags of the present will have an internal volume of from about 10,000 cm3 to about 25,000 cm3. The bags in this size scale are sufficient to accommodate a reasonable load of fabrics (for example 0.2-5 kg) without being so large as to block the ejection holes of the dryer in most American-style dryers. Smaller, smaller bags can be used in Japanese and European dryers that are relatively smaller. The bag of the present is preferably flexible, but is preferably durable enough to support multiple uses. The bag also preferably has sufficient rigidity so that it can swell, during use, thus allowing its contents to freely rotate inside the bag during use. Typically, said bags are prepared from polymer sheets with a thickness of 0.025 mm to 0.076 mm. If more rigidity is desired in the bag, slightly thicker sheets can be used. In addition to the thermally stable "nylon only" bags, the container bags herein can also be prepared using coextruded nylon and / or polyester sheets or outer and / or inner layers of nylon and / or polyester surrounding an inner core less thermally suitable such as polypropylene. In an alternative embodiment, a bag is constructed using a non-woven outer "shell" comprising a heat-resistant material such as nylon or polyethylene terephthalate and an inner sheet of a polymer that provides a vapor barrier. The non-woven outer shell protects the bag from melting and provides improved tactile printing for the user. Whatever the construction, the objective is to protect the integrity of the bag under thermal stress conditions at temperatures of up to approximately 204 ° C to 260 ° C. Under circumstances in which excessive heat does not matter, the bag can be made of polyester, polypropylene or any suitable polymer material.

Evaluating Evaporation of Vapor In its broadest sense, the preferred vapor-expulsion container bag used in this invention is designed to be capable of expelling at least about 40%, preferably at least about 60%, up to about 90%, preferably not more than about 80% by weight, of the total moisture introduced into the bag in the operation cycle of the clothes dryer or other hot air apparatus used in the present process. (Of course most, if not all, the organic cleaning solvents, if any, will also be expelled during the cycle along with the water, however, since the water comprises by far the largest portion of the water. cleaning / cooling compositions of the present, it is more convenient to measure and report the expulsion as expulsion of water vapor). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the operation of hot air clothes dryers and similar apparatuses, that the ejection speed will normally not be constant during the operation cycle. full. All dryers have a warm-up period at the beginning of the operating cycle, and this can vary according to the manufacturer's specifications. Many dryers have a cooling period at the end of the operation cycle. Some ejection may occur from the container bag during these periods of heating and cooling, but its velocity is generally less than the ejection velocity during the main period of the drying cycle. Moreover, even during the main period of the cycle, many modern dryers are built with thermostat settings that cause the temperature of the air in the dryer to be increased or decreased periodically, thus preventing overheating. In this way, an average (rather than constant) operating temperature of the dryer is typically achieved, in the range of about 50 ° C to about 85 ° C. Moreover, the user of the present container bag can choose to stop the operation of the drying apparatus before the cycle has been completed. Some users may wish to secure fabrics that are still slightly wet so that they can be easily ironed, hung to dry, or undergo other finishing operations. Apart from the period of time used, the Steam Ejection Balance ("WE") for any type of steam exhaust shutdown will depend mainly on the temperature achieved inside the dryer-which, as mentioned above, is typically reported. as an "average temperature of the air in the dryer". Regarding this fact, it is that The temperature reached inside the container bag is more significant in this respect, but it can be difficult to measure it accurately. Since the transmission of heat through the walls of the bag is quite efficient due to the thinness of the walls and the spinning action of conventional clothes dryers, it is a reasonable approximation to measure WE with reference to the average temperature of the bag. air in the dryer. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the ejection of steam from the container bag should not be so rapid that the aqueous cleaning / freshening composition does not have the opportunity to moisten the fabrics being treated and to mobilize and remove the soils / odors from the same. However, this has no practical importance in the present, since the supply of the composition from its carrier substrate on the fabrics achieved by the spinning action of the apparatus occurs at such a speed that the premature loss of the composition by vaporization and premature expulsion is not a significant factor. In fact, the preferred bag herein is designed to prevent such premature expulsion, thereby allowing the liquid and vapors of the cleaning / cooling composition to remain inside the bag for a period that is long enough to carry out its intended functions about the fabrics that are being treated. The following Steam Expulsion Evaluation Test (WET) illustrates the above points in more detail. Larger or smaller container bags may be used, depending on the volume of the dryer tub, the size of the fabric load and the like. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, in each case the container bag is designed to achieve a degree of expulsion, or "score" of WE, of at least about 40% (40 WE), preferably at least about 60% (60 WE) up to approximately 90% (90 WE).

EVALUATION TEST FOR STEAM EXPULSION Materials: Envelope or "normal" container bag, that is, control, which will be evaluated for WE. Substrate carrier: carrier substrate sheet (38.1 cm x 27.9 cm) HYDRASPUNR from Dexter with (10444) or without (10244) binder. Wool blouse: RN77390, style 12288, weight approx. 224 grams. Silk blouse: RN40787, style 0161, weight approx. 81 grams. Rayon sample: (114.3 cm x 43.2 cm), weight approx. 60 grams.

Sack: (12.7 cm x 16.2 cm) to contain the carrier substrate and water. Deionized water: the weight is variable to establish WE.

Pretreatment of fabrics: 1. Wool, silk and rayon materials are placed in a Whirlpool dryer (model LEC7646DQO) for 10 minutes in the cycle. high heat, varying the heating cycle from approximately 60 ° C to 74 ° C to eliminate the accumulated humidity in the ambient condition. 2. The fabrics are then removed from the dryer and placed in sealed plastic or nylon bags (minimum thickness of 0.076 mm) to minimize the accumulation of moisture in the atmosphere.

Test procedure: 1. Water of various measured weights of approximately 0 to approximately 40 grams is applied to the carrier substrate for a minimum of 30 minutes before carrying out an expelled bag test. The substrate is folded, placed in a bag and sealed. 2. Each fabric is weighed separately and dry weights are recorded. Weights are also recorded for the dry carrier substrate, the dry sack containing the substrate and the dry container bag being evaluated. 3. Each garment is placed in the bag that is being evaluated to verify the expulsion of steam together with the substrate containing water (removed from its bag and unfolded). 4. The bag is closed without expressing the air and placed in the Whiripool dryer for 30 minutes in the high heat cycle, with rotation by the normal mode of operation of the dryer. 5. At the end of 30 minutes the bag is removed from the dryer and each fabric, the carrier substrate, the bag and the bag are weighed to verify the weight gain per water in relation to the dry state, (a possible small weight loss for the container bag due to heat from the dryer is ignored in the calculations) 6. The weight gain of each garment is recorded as a percentage of the total humidity applied to the carrier substrate. 7. The remaining unmeasured moisture divided by the total humidity is recorded as the percentage ejected from the dryer bag. 8. When a series of total applied moisture levels are evaluated, it is observed that above about 15-20 grams of water, the ejected percentage becomes essentially constant, and this is the Vapor Expulsion Equilibrium Value, or WE, for the particular bag ejection design. It can be observed by examining a series of WET results at various initial moisture levels, that water at lower initial levels is being disproportionately captured by the load of clothing, the headspace and the nylon bag, such that ejection of water and volatile odors begins only just after the WE value has been achieved. Since this occurs only when approximately 15-20 grams or more of water is initially charged, it is observed that a WE of more than about 40 is necessary to avoid excessive wetting of the garments, leading to an unacceptable wet setting of wrinkles, as described in the present.

Removal of bad odor and wrinkles The entire procedure of the present optionally comprises a step of removing stains on isolated and strongly stained areas of the fabric. Following this step of removing localized spots, the entire fabric can be cleaned / cooled in the container bag with steam ejection. This last step provides a marked improvement in the complete appearance and freshness of the fabrics, especially with regard to almost the absence of bad odors and wrinkles, compared to untreated fabrics. An evaluation of this process step using the vapor ejection bag of the present with respect to odors, comprises exposing the fabrics that will be tested to an atmosphere containing substantial amounts of cigarette smoke. In an alternative embodiment, or in conjunction with the smoke, the fabrics can be exposed to the chemical components of the synthetic sweat, such as the composition available from IFF Inc. Olfactory panelists are then used to judge the odor on any convenient scale. For example, a scale from 0 (no detectable odor) to 10 (strong malodor) can be established and used for graduation purposes. The establishment of such tests is a routine matter, and many other protocols can be glimpsed in accordance with the formulator's wishes. For example, garments that will be "smoked" are hung on clothes hangers inside a fume hood where the air flow It has been turned off and the ejectors blocked. Six cigars without a filter are lit and placed in ashtrays under garments. The bell is closed and left until the cigars have been consumed approximately halfway. The garments are then turned 180 ° to obtain a uniform distribution of smoke on all surfaces. Smoke continues until all the cigarettes have been consumed. The garments are then enclosed in sealed plastic bags and left to rest overnight. After aging for about a day, the garments are treated in the cleaning / freshening process using the ejection bag. The garments are quickly removed from the container bag when the dryer cycle is finished, and are graded for malodor intensity. The graduation is done by an expert panel, usually two, of trained odor and perfume graduates. The intensity of the bad smell is given a degree from 0 to 10, where 10 is a complete initial intensity and 0 is that no odor was detected. A grade of 1 is the detection of a trace of bad odor, and this degree is considered an acceptably low odor for most users. In the absence of perfume ingredients in the laundry cleaning composition, the gradation of the intensity of the residual malodour is a direct indication of the degree of cleaning or removal of malodorous chemicals. When perfumed compositions are used, the ranking panelists can also determine a score for intensity and character of the perfume (again on a scale of 0 to 10), and the intensity graduation of the Bad odor in this case would indicate the ability of the residual perfume to cover any residual odor chemical, as well as its reduction or elimination. After the odor graduation in the garment taken quickly after the cleaning / refreshing procedure, the garments are hung in an open room for one hour and graduated again. This one-hour reading allows an evaluation of the final effect that would follow the cooling of the garments and the drying of the moisture obtained in the dryer's treatment cycle. The initial graduation out of the bag reflects the smells of the wet clothing and a higher intensity of the volatile volatile materials of the bag, and these are not factors in the degrees of an hour. You can make an additional graduation of the garment at 24 hours and, optionally, at later selected times, as required by the needs of the test. Similarly, wrinkles on the fabric can be visually determined by expert graders. For example, the silk fabric, whose wrinkles can be used very easily to visually determine the degree of wrinkle removal achieved by the present process using the vapor ejection bag. Other simple or multiple fabrics can optionally be used. A laboratory test is as follows.

PROOF OF DISARMING Materials: Like the previous ones for WET. Deionized water, weight scale (0-38 grams) Pretreatment of the fabrics: The silk fabric is placed in a basket, basket or drum to simulate the normal conditions observed after use. These storage conditions produce severely wrinkled garments (Well defined crests) and that require a moist environment to relax wrinkles.

Test procedure: 1. A silk cloth is placed in a container bag that is being tested. 2. Water (0-38 grams) is applied to the carrier substrate a minimum of 30 minutes before carrying out the test; It is placed in a sack and sealed. 3. The silk garment is placed in the test container bag together with the substrate containing water (removed from its bag and unfolded). 4. The bag is closed and placed in a Whirlpool dryer (model LEC7646DQO) for 30 minutes at high heat (cycle 48-74C).

. After 30 minutes the dryer bag is removed from the dryer IMMEDIATELY and the silk garment is placed on a hook. 6. The silk garment is then visually graduated against the control garment of the same fabric pretreatment. In laboratory tests of the previous type, the cleaning / refreshing procedures in dryers and without dipping present typically provide degrees of bad odor (from cigarette smoke and / or sweat) on the scale of 0-1 for cigar smoke and a little higher for bad odors by sweating, indicating then an adequate elimination of the malodor components that are not those of molecular weights high enough so that they can not be easily "vaporized" from the fabrics. Similarly, fabric wrinkles (silk) are removed to a sufficient degree to be judged reasonably suitable for use with very little ironing or without ironing.

Perfume As mentioned above, unpleasant odor chemicals of higher molecular weight and high boiling point tend to be retained on the fabrics, at least to a certain degree. These bad odors can be eliminated or "masked" by the perfumes. However, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that the perfumer must select at least some perfume chemicals that have a boiling high enough so that they are not completely expelled from the bag along with bad volatile odors. A wide variety of similar aldehydes, ketones, esters, acetals and perfume chemicals are known, having boiling points above about 50 ° C, preferably above about 85 ° C. Said ingredients can be supplied by means of the carrier substrate of the present to permeate the contents of the container bag during the processes of the present, thus reducing the perception of bad odors by the user more in this way. 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 of Peru, resinous oliban , stretch, lavender resin, nutmeg, cassia oil, benzoin resin, coriander, bleach and lavender. Other perfume chemicals include phenylethyl alcohol, terpineol and mixed pine oil terpenes, linalool, linalyl acetate, geraniol, nerol, 2- (1,1-dimethylethyl) -cyclohexanol acetate, orange terpenes and eugenol. Of course, lower boiling materials may be included, with the understanding that some loss will occur due to the expulsion.

COMPONENTS OF THE PROCEDURE The use of the articles and methods of this invention are described in more detail below. This description is by way of illustration and without limitation of the invention herein. The terms of definition used herein have the following meanings. By "phase stable" herein is meant liquid compositions that are homogeneous in their intended use scale (approximately 10 ° C-35 ° C), or that are stored at temperatures that cause phase separation (4.4 ° C). -43.3 ° C), will return to their homogeneous state when they return to temperatures in the scale of intended use. By an "effective amount" herein is meant an amount of alkyl sulfate and / or alkylethylsulfate or other surfactant sufficient to provide a phase-stable liquid composition, as defined above. By "aqueous" compositions herein are meant compositions comprising a significant portion of water, and optionally butoxylpropoxypropanol (BPP) or other cleaning solvents, the aforementioned surfactants or mixtures of surfactants, hydrotropes, perfumes and the like, especially those that are described later. By "cleaning" in the present is meant the removal of stains and dirt from the fabrics, ("stain cleaning" is the cleaning located in areas of stains before the cleaning / cooling step that is conducted in the bag with expulsion). By "freshness" in the present is meant the elimination of bad smells and / or wrinkles of fabrics in general, or the improvement of their appearance, other than the elimination of stains and dirt in the first place, although it may occur concurrently with freshness any elimination of stains and dirt. Typical fabric cleaning / freshening compositions may herein comprise more water (95-99.9%, preferably more than 95% up to 99%) and fewer cleaning ingredients than conventional pre-cleaning or stain-removing compositions. By "protrusion" herein are meant blots, fibers, curl or similar structures extending outwardly from the surface of the treatment device. Said elements of the device come into contact with the fabric that is being subjected to spot cleaning ("pre-stain removal") to provide mechanical cleaning action. By "contact with stained areas" with respect to the cleaning device means contact that is allowed by the incidence of protuberances, pads, sponges, etc., comprising the device treatment means with one side of the stained area. As indicated above, it is highly desirable that this contact result in a force that is directed substantially downward, ie, in the Z direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the stain rather than a side-to-side scrubbing movement in the directions X and Y, to minimize the damage or "wear" of the fabric. Preferably, the contact is associated with the oscillating movement by the convex device in the present, whereby the curved surface of the device imparts force in the Z direction. By "contact with the stained areas" with respect to the stain receiver it is meant that the side of the cloth stained area opposite the device Cleaning impacts directly on the receiver and is in close communication with it. As illustrated in the drawings, Figure 5 shows an integral carrier substrate (1) that is releasably impregnated with the cleaning / freshening composition. Figure 6 illustrates a shape of a slotted container bag, preformed in an open configuration with the loose carrier substrate (1), a first side wall (2a), a second side wall (2b), a first securing device (3) , a lateral seal (4) and a flexible fin (5). During use, the flexible flap (5) is folded along the line (11) to provide the vapor ejection closure for the bag. Figure 7 shows the "envelope style" slotted bag in a finished configuration and containing the loose carrier substrate sheet (1). During use, fabrics to be cleaned and to be given freshness are placed in the bag with the substrate sheet (1) and the fin (5) is folded along the fold line (11). ) to engage the first clamping device (3) with the second opposing clamping device (6) to hold the fin, thereby providing a vapor ejection closure that is sufficiently stable to resist stirring in a clothes dryer device with hot air or similar device. Figure 8 shows a view of a cut of the corner of the slotted container bag illustrating the intepor of the first side wall (2a) and the second side wall (2b), first clamping device (3), second clamping device (6), fin (5), and fold line (11). The distance between edge of the bag (9) and the depth of the groove (11) in the second side wall (2b) are dimensions that were discussed above. Figure 9 illustrates the bag with non-slotted ejection with the carrier sheet contained loosely therein. The dimensions given above are for containment bags that are designed to be freely stirred inside the tub of a domestic conventional American hot air clothes dryer having a tub volume of approximately 170-210 liters (domestic size). The bag of the dimensions indicated is designed to treat up to approximately a load of 5 kg of cloth in a single use. Dimensions can be adjusted proportionally for larger or smaller bags to achieve the desired WE and to ensure effective use in dryers with larger or smaller tubs. For example, the total volume of the container bag constructed for use in an average European-type domestic cloth dryer (or size proportional to a North American "apartment", approximately a 90 liter tub volume) would be approximately 60% of the volume for an average North American type dryer. The vapor ejection bags of the present can be used with any desired fabric treatment composition containing water, especially liquid phase-stable and / or "true solution" liquid cleaning / cooling compositions, as described. more completely later. The overall procedure hereby provides a method for removing localized or generalized stains, dirt and bad odors of fabrics and otherwise to give freshness to fabrics by putting them in contact with said compositions.

Carrier When used in the step inside the dryer of the process of the present invention, the cleaning and / or freshness compositions are used in combination with the carrier substrate which is mounted on the permeable cover sheet material, in such a way that the compositions perform their function as the fabrics are disturbed, for example, by the stirring action of the hot air clothes dryer or a similar apparatus. The carrier contains the compositions releasably. By "releasably containing" it is meant that the compositions are effectively released from the carrier on the dirty fabrics as part of the cleaning procedures of non-immersion and / or freshness of felling in the present. This release can occur by direct contact between the fabrics and the article, by volatilization of the carrier substrate composition through the permeable cover sheet or by combination thereof. The carrier can be in any desired form, such as powders, flakes, fragments and the like. However, it will be appreciated that such shredded carriers would have to be separated from the fabrics 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 throughout the procedure. Said pads or sheets can be prepared, for example, using the well-known methods for the manufacture of non-woven sheets, paper towels, fibrous batts, centers for bandages, diapers and catamenials and the like, using materials such as wood pulp, cotton , rayon, polyester fibers and mixtures thereof. Woven pads may also be used but are not preferred over non-woven pads due to cost considerations. The integral carrier pads or sheets can also be prepared from natural or synthetic sponges, foams and the like. The carriers are designed to be safe and effective under the operating conditions designed in the present procedure. The carriers should not be flammable during the procedure, nor should they interact deleteriously with the cleaning or freshness composition or with the fabrics to be cleaned. In general, non-woven polyester-based pads or sheets are well suited for use as the carrier herein. The carrier used herein is most preferably a carrier that is not de-iced. By "not fraying" in the present is meant a carrier that resists the fraying of visible fibers or microfibers on the fabrics being cleaned, the deposition of what is commonly known as "fluff". A carrier can be easily and adequately considered for its acceptance of its non-fraying qualities by rubbing it on a piece of dark blue wool fabric and visually inspecting the fabric for lint residue.

The non-fraying qualities of sheet carriers or pad used herein can be achieved by various means, including but not limited to: the preparation of the carrier from a single strand of fiber; using known bonding techniques commonly used with non-woven materials, for example, knit bonding, printing bonding, adhesive / resin saturation bonding, adhesive / resin spraying bonding, stitch bonding and bonding with binding fibers. In an alternative mode, a carrier can be prepared using an absorbent center, said center being made of a material that, by itself, produces fluff. The center is then wrapped in a sheet of non-fraying porous material having a pore size that allows the passage of the cleaning / freshening compositions, but through which the fluff from the center can not pass. An example of such a carrier comprises a core of cellulose or polyester fiber wrapped in a non-woven polyester fabric. The carrier should be of a size that provides a sufficient surface area that effective contact between the surface of the carrier and the surfaces of the fabrics that have been treated is achieved. Of course, the size of the carrier should not be so large that it can not be handled by the user. Typically, the dimensions of the carrier will be sufficient to provide a macroscopic surface area (both sides of the carrier) of at least about 360 cm2, preferably in the range of 360 cm2 to about 3000 cm2. For example, a generally rectangular carrier has the dimensions (X direction) of approximately 20 cm to about 35 cm and (Y direction) about 18 cm to about 45 cm. 2 or more smaller carrier units may be used when a larger surface area is desired (or needed). The carrier is designed to contain a sufficient amount of cleaning / cooling compositions to be effective for its intended purpose. The capacity of the carrier for said compositions will vary in accordance with the intended use. For example, sheets or pads that are designed for single use will require less capacity than those pads or sheets that are designed for multiple uses. For a given type of carrier, the capacity of cleaning composition or freshness will vary mainly with thickness or "caliber" (Z direction).; dry base) of the sheet or pad: for purposes of illustration, the typical single-use polyester sheets used herein will have a thickness in the scale from 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. Typical multi-use polyester pads will have a thickness in the range from about 0.2 mm to about 1.0 mm and a basis weight on the scale from about 40 g / m2 to about 150 g / m2. The open cell sponge sheets will vary in thickness from about 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm. Of course, the above dimensions may vary, as long as the desired amount of cleaning or freshness composition is effectively provided by the carrier means.

A preferred carrier herein comprises a hydroentangled absorbent material without binder (or optional low binder), especially a material that is formulated from a blend of rayon, polyester, and optional bicomponent cellulosic fibers. These materials are available from Dexter, Non-Xovens Division, The Dexter Coforation as HYDRASPUNR, especially Grade 10244 and 10444. The manufacture of such materials is not part of this invention and is already described in the literature.

See, for example, U.S. Patent. 5,009,747, Viazmensky, et al., April 23, 1991 and 5,292,581, Viazmensky, et al., March 8, 1994, hereby incorporated herein by reference. Preferred materials for use herein have the following physical properties.

Grade Interval 10244 Obiectives optional Base weight gm / m2 55 35-75 Thickness microns 355 100-1500 Density g / cm3 0.155 0.1-0.25 Voltage in g / 25 mm dry DM 1700 400-2500 DT 650 100-500 Wet tension g / 25 mm DM * 700 200-1250 DT * 300 100-500 Brilliance% 80 60-90 Absorption capacity% 735 400-900 (H20) Mullen dry g / cm2 1050 700-1200 * DM - machine direction; DT - transverse direction As described in E.U.A. 5,009,747 and 5,292,281, the hydroentangling process provides a nonwoven material comprising cellulosic fibers and preferably at least about 5% by weight of synthetic fibers, and requires less than 2% moisture resistant agent to achieve improved moisture resistance and moisture stiffness. Surprisingly, this hydroentangling carrier is not simply a passive absorbent for the cleaning / cooling compositions herein, but actually optimizes the cleaning performance. Although it is not intended to be limited by theory, it can be speculated that the wearer is more effective in supplying compositions to dirty fabrics. Or, this particular carrier can be better for removing dirt by contact with dirty fabrics, due to its mixture of fibers. Whatever the reason, an improved cleaning performance is ensured.

In addition to improved performance, it has now been discovered that this hydroentangled carrier material provides an additional expected benefit due to its elasticity. During use, the sheets herein 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 these carrier sheets made of conventional materials tend to undesirably revert to their folded configuration during use. This undesirable attribute can be overcome by piercing said sheet but this requires an additional procedural step. Now, it has been discovered that the hydroeprawn materials used to form the carrier sheet herein do not tend to re-bend during use, and therefore do not require such perforations (although, of course, perforations may be used, if desired Therefore, the attribute of the materials hydroentancer carriers of the present make them optimal for use in the embodiment of the present invention.

Controlled Release Carriers Other carriers that can be used in the present invention are characterized by their ability to absorb liquid compositions, and to release them in a controlled manner. Said carriers can be single-layer or multi-layer laminate materials. In one embodiment, said controlled release carriers can comprise the absorbent center materials described in U.S. Patent 5,009,653, issued April 23, 1991 to T.W. Osbom lll, entitled "Thin, Flexible Sanitary Napkin", assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company, hereby incorporated herein by reference. Another specific example of a controlled release carrier herein comprises a hydroentangled fiber ribbon (as described above) having particles of dispersed polymeric gelling materials., either uniformly or not uniformly on the tape. Suitable gelling materials include those described in detail in columns 5 and 6 of Osborn, as well as those described in E.U.A. 4,654,039, issued March 31, 1987 to Brandt, Goldman and Inglin. Other carriers useful herein include WATER-LOCKR L-535, available from Grain Processing Coforation of Muscatin, Iowa. Non-particulate superabsorbent materials, such as the fibrous acrylate material available under the tradename LANSEAL F from Choli Company of Higashi, Osaka Japan and the material fibrous carboxymethyl cellulose available under the trade name AQUALON C from Hercules, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, may also be used herein. Fibrous superabsorbent materials are also convenient for use in a hydroentangled type tape. In another embodiment, the controlled release carrier may comprise absorbent batts of multi-layer cellulosic fibers of hydroentangled fibers, such as the aforementioned sheets of HYDRASPUN. In this embodiment, typically from 2 to about 5 sheets of HYDRASPUN, which can be optionally bonded by spot or glued by stitch to provide a coherent multi-layered structure, provide an absorbent carrier for use herein without the need for absorbent gelling materials. , although, if desired, such geliating materials may be used. Other useful uncontrolled release carriers include natural or synthetic sponges, especially open cell polyurethane sponges and / or sponges. Whatever the carrier of the selected controlled ratio, it must be one that imbibes the liquid compositions uniformly, releasing them with the application of pressure or heat. Typically, the controlled release carriers herein will be perceived as wet or preferably slightly wet to almost dry to the touch, and will not drip when carrying 10-30 g of the cleaning composition.

Cover Hole In an optional embodiment, a liquid-permeable cover sheet is superimposed on the carrier. In one embodiment, the cover sheet is ciated with the carrier by sprinkling the cover sheet to the surface of the carrier. In another embodiment, the carrier is covered loosely by the cover sheet without any fixing point. The cover sheet is preferably a material that is elastic and soft to the touch. In addition, the cover sheet is permeable to liquids and / or vapor, allowing the aqueous cleaning / freshness composition to be transferred through its thickness. A suitable cover sheet can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as polymeric materials, formed thermoplastic films, plastic films with openings, porous films, cross-linked foams, natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), woven and non-woven synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, with films formed with openings being preferred. Films formed with openings are preferred for the cover sheet because they are permeable to liquid cleaning and / or freshness compositions (by vapors) and yet are non-absorbent. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the fabrics remains relatively dry, thus reducing the transfer of stains and dyes in the water. In addition, it has now been found that apertured films capture and retain lint, fibrous material such as animal hair and the like, of the fabric being treated, thereby increasing the benefits of cleaning / refreshing provided by the method of the present invention. Suitable formed films are described in the U.S.A. No. 3,929,135 entitled "Apsoftive Structure Having Tapered Capillaries", issued to Thompson, 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 Smlth on April 13, 1982; patent of E.U.A. No. 4,342,314, entitled "Resilient Plástic Web Exibhiting 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 Ouellete on July 31, 1984, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. If used, said cover sheets formed with film with tapered capillary openings are preferably located on the carrier sheet such that the smaller end of the capillaries faces the carrier sheet and the larger end of the capillary faces outward. Also with respect to the cover sheet of the present, it is possible to employ non-woven or woven permeable fabrics to cover the wearer plus the cleaning / freshening composition. Under certain circumstances, said fibrous nonwoven or woven cover sheets may offer certain advantages over the formed film cover sheets. For example, cover sheets of the formed film are often manufactured by hydroforming processes that are particularly suitable with polymer films such as polyethylene. Although polyethylene can be used herein, there is a certain prospect that, due to its lower melting point, high dryer temperatures can cause it to soften and / or melt during use. This is particularly true if the article herein were to be released from the container bag and fall into the hot dryer tub. Although it is possible to prepare top sheets of formed film using nylon, polyester or other heat-resistant polymer sheets, such manufacture becomes a little more difficult and therefore more expensive. The fibrous cover sheets can also be made from non-heat resistant fibers such as polyethylene. However, it has now been determined that the preferred fibrous cover sheets can be prepared using nylon (especially nylon 6), polyester and the like, fibers that can withstand even inappropriate use in the process of the present invention. The permeable upper sheets in the form of flexible fabrics made therefrom are materials known in the art of non-woven and woven fabrics and their forms of manufacture are not part of the present invention. Said non-woven fabrics are commercially available from companies such as Dexter Corporation. The hydrophobic character of the fibers used to make the fibrous nonwoven or woven cover sheets reduces the likelihood of water staining during the present process. The cover sheets also collect lint and other fibers from the fabrics that are being treated in the present process, thereby increasing their overall clean / fresh appearance.

Such non-woven or woven fibrous sheet materials can be used in a single layer or as multiple layers as the cover sheet in the present invention. In one embodiment, an absorbent center comprising the cleaning / freshening composition is covered in a fibrous polyester or polyamide cover sheet that has been rolled into a ring or otherwise corrugated to provide three-dimensional volume. Optionally, this cover sheet can also be covered by a second cover sheet in a non-corrugated configuration. Alternatively, the center may be covered in one or more layers of non-corrugated fibrous cover sheet. Alternatively, a film cover sheet formed with tapered capillaries and made of a non-heat resistant material may be covered with a protective sheet of a woven or nonwoven fibrous cover sheet comprising heat resistant fibers. Said fibrous cover sheets, preferably heat resistant and very preferably hydrophobic, thus provide alternative embodiments of the article of the present invention. Various combinations can be used, in accordance with what the manufacturer wishes, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The objective in each case is to prevent the wet carrier center of the article from coming into prolonged direct contact with the fabric being treated to avoid staining the water. If desired, the cover sheet can be provided with macroscopic openings through which lint, fibers or particulate soils can pass, thus helping to trap said foreign material within the article itself.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the cover sheet is preferably hydrophobic. However, if desired, the outer and / or inner surfaces of the cover sheet can be made hydrophilic by treatment with a surfactant that is substantially uniform and completely distributed over the entire surface of the cover sheet. This can be achieved by any of the common techniques well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the surfactant can be applied to the cover sheet by spraying, applying with pad or by the use of transfer rolls. In addition, the surfactant can be welded into the polymeric materials of a formed film cover sheet. Said methods are described in the patent of E.U.A. 5,009,653 previously cited.

GENERAL PROCEDURE The preferred pre-stain procedure for removing stains from a stained area of fabrics, comprises applying a stain-cleaning composition (preferably substantially free of visible residues as described herein) to said stained areas, and causing the device to oscillate on the stain using manual pressure to eliminate it. In a preferred mode, in the pre-stain step of the process of the present invention, the stain cleaning composition is applied to the fabric by any convenient means, for example, by spraying, Drying, emptying and similar. In an alternative embodiment, the pre-stain procedure can be carried out by contacting the stained area during the oscillation step with the carrier sheet which is saturated with the stain-cleaning composition. Conveniently, the fabric and the carrier sheet can be placed in a containment tray or other suitable receptacle as a containment system for the cleaning composition. In more detail, the overall process herein can be conducted in the following manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 1. To place the stained area of the fabric on the stain receiver described herein and which is in contact with the same or less preferably a folded ordinary paper towel (eg, preferably white or unprinted - to avoid towel dye transfer - brand BOUNTYR) on any suitable surface such as the top of a mixture on a tray, etc. 2. Apply enough stain cleaning composition from a bottle with a narrow nozzle that directs the composition onto the stain (without unnecessarily saturating the surrounding area of the fabric) to saturate the localized stained area - approximately 10 drops; you can use more for a larger spot. 3. Optionally, allow the composition to penetrate the stain for 3-5 minutes (this is a pre-treatment step or pre-hydration for better cleaning results) 4. Optionally, apply additional composition about 10 drops; It can be used more for larger spots. 5. Use the stain removal device to treat the stain completely. Rock the device (force in Z direction) firmly against the stain typically for 20-120 seconds, longer for stronger stains. Do not rub (address force X-Y) the stain with the device as this can damage the fabric. 6. Optionally, dry the fabric, for example, between paper towels, to eliminate excess composition. Or, the treated area may be dried with a damp sponge or other absorbent means to absorb liquid from the fibers and remove liquid from the composition. 7. Conduct the cleaning / cooling procedure in the dryer that is described throughout the fabric using the bag with steam ejection. 8. Following step 7, it is preferred to hang the fabrics slightly moistened in time to prevent wrinkling and complete drying. Alternatively, the fabrics can be ironed. A general process for treating an entire surface area of the fabric, which optionally comprises a pre-stain operation in accordance with this invention, therefore comprises the general steps of: (i) optionally, conducting a stain removal procedure in accordance with the above description on areas of stained and localized fabrics. (ii) placing the entire fabric together with a carrier that releasably contains an aqueous fabric cleaning / freshening composition in a bag containing vapor ejection; (iii) placing the bag in a device for providing agitation, for example, such as in a hot air clothes dryer and operating the dryer with heat and stirring to moisten the fabric and provide steam ejection; and (iv) extracting the fabric from the bag. Again, the fabrics are hung appropriately to complete the drying and / or to prevent wrinkles from appearing again. In a convenient mode, a portion of the liquid composition is directed towards the stained area of the fabric from a bottle. As shown in FIG. 11, the protuberances on the cleaning device are brought into close contact with the stain, for example, by oscillating the arched device on the stain, typically using manual pressure. Rubbing from side to side with the device preferably avoids minimizing the potential damage to the fiber. The contact can be maintained for a period of 1-60 seconds for lighter spots, and 1 to 5 minutes or longer for more intense or more persistent spots.

The second step of the general procedure is conveniently conducted in a stirring apparatus, preferably in the presence of heat. The nylon bag and another bag with heat-resistant vapor ejection with the carrier plus the aqueous cleaning / freshening composition and containing the previously treated cloth as to stains optionally being cleaned and being given freshness, is closes and is placed in the tub of a hot air automatic clothes dryer at temperatures of 40 ° C-150 ° C. The tub is allowed to perform its function, which imparts a stirring action to the bag and agitation of its contents concurrently with stirring. Due to this agitation, the fabrics come into contact with the carrier containing the composition. Stirring and heat are carried out for a period of at least about 10 minutes, typically from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes. This step can be conducted for shorter or longer periods, depending on factors such as the degree and type of dirt on the fabrics, the nature of the dirt, the nature of the fabrics, the load of fabrics, the amount of heat applied and similar, according to the needs of the user. During this step, more than about 40% of the moisture is expelled from the bag. With respect to the wrinkle removal function of the process and compositions herein, it will be appreciated that wrinkles may be affected by the type of fabric, the fabric web, the fabric finishes and the like. For fabrics that tend to wrinkle, it is preferred not to overload the bag with steam ejection that is used herein. From this way, for a bag, for example, with an operational capacity of up to about 5 kg of fabrics, it may be best to process only about 60% of the capacity (i.e., up to 3 kg) of fabrics to minimize wrinkling. The following examples illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit it.

EXAMPLE I Examples of compositions with low residue content, high water content, preferred for use in the previous stain removal step of the present are the following. The compositions are listed as "non-ionic" or "anionic", depending on the type of surfactant that is used herein. These compositions are used in the manner described in the following examples.

INGREDIENT Composition Composition Nonionic Anionic (%) (%) Hydrogen peroxide 1,000 1,000 Aminotrismethylenephosphoric acid * 0.040 0.0400 Butoxipropoxypropanol (BPP) 2,000 2,000 Neodol 23 6.5 0.250 - Coconut E- | S NH4 - 0.285 Oxide of dodecyldimethylamine - 0.031 Magnesium chloride - 0.018 Magnesium sulphate - 0.019 Hydrotrope, perfume, other minor components - 0.101 Kathon preservative 0.0003 0.0003 Water (deionized or distilled) 96.710 96.507 Target pH 6.0 6.0 'Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide Preferably, to minimize the potential for damage by dyes as described above, said compositions comprise the anionic or nonionic surfactant in an amount (by weight of the composition) that is less than the amount of H2? 2- Preferably, the Weight ratio of surfactant: H2? 2 is on the scale from about 1: 10 to about 1: 1.5, most preferably from about 1: 4 to about 1: 3.

EXAMPLE II A liquid fabric cleaning / freshening product with a low residue content for use in an extruded dryer bag is prepared in the following manner.

INGREDIENT% (by weight) Water 99.3 Emulsifier (TWEEN 20) * 0.3 Perfume 0.4"Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate available from ICI Surfactants. 23 grams of the product are applied to a 28 cm x 38 cm carrier sheet of nonwoven fabric, preferably HYDRASPUN. In a simple but effective mode, the carrier sheet is placed in a bag and saturated with the product. The capillary action of the substrate and optionally the manipulation and / or the laying of the bag on its side, causes the product to be absorbed throughout the sheet. Preferably, the sheet is of a type, size and absorbency that does not "run off" liquid. The bag is sealed so that the liquid composition is stable to storage until used. Step 1. Select a fabric that has to be cleaned and to which freshness should be given. The localized stained areas of the fabric are placed on a receiver of absorbent stains and are treated by directly applying approximately 0.5-5 ml (depending on the size of the stain) of the liquid product of Example VI, which is gently treated on the fabric using the device. convex shown in the figures. A dry paper towel is applied to the treated spots. In an alternative mode, the product is releasably absorbed onto a carrier sheet and applied to the spots, which are then treated with the device, using an oscillatory movement, with manual pressure. Step 2. Following the step of pre-staining, the fabric is placed in a nylon bag with steam ejection as shown in the figures together with the sheet (which is removed from its storage bag and unfolded) that contains the product freely. cleaning / refreshing example VII or example VIII. The mouth of the bag is placed to provide expulsion of steam, and the bag and its contents are placed in the tub of a conventional hot air clothes dryer. The dryer is operated in a standard manner for 20-60 minutes at a high heat setting (a temperature scale of approximately 60-70 ° C). After the tumbling action of the dryer has ceased, the clean, fresh cloth is removed from the bag. The used sheet is discarded.

EXAMPLE III The low water content and high water content ("fresh water") cleaning / cooling compositions for use in a dryer in the vapor ejection bag of the present invention are as follows. The compositions are used in the manner previously deciphered to clean and give freshness to the fabrics.

Components Percentage Scale (%) Function Deionized water 98.8997 97-99.9 Vapor phase cleaning TWEEN 20 0.50 0.5-1.0 Moisturizing agent Perfume 0.50 0.1-1 50 Essence, aesthetics KATHON CG * 0.0003 0.0001-0.0030 Antibacterial Sodium benzoate * 0.10 0.05-1.0 Antifungal Optional preservative ingredients * to 30 grams, preferably approximately 23 grams of the fresh water composition, are absorbed in a 28 cm x 38 cm HIDRASPUNR carrier sheet covered in a permeable cover sheet which can be a formed film with openings or a fibrous sheet, as described before. The carrier sheet is preferably not wetted by "dripping" and is of a size that provides sufficient surface area, so that effective contact between the surface of the article and the surface of the articles is achieved. fabrics that are being cleaned and refreshed. The covered sheet is used in the above manner with the steam ejection bag to clean and cool fabrics in a hot air clothes dryer.

EXAMPLE IV A liquid pre-stain composition is formulated by mixing the following ingredients: Ingredient% (by weight) BPP 4.0 AS of C-] 2-C-i4, salt of Na 0.25 H2? 2 1.0 Water and minor components * The rest 'Includes preservatives such as KATHONR at levels of 0.00001% -1%, in weight.

The fabric to be treated is laid flat on an absorbent stain receiver and 0.05 ml-4 ml of the composition is applied directly to the stain and subjected to work by means of the arcuate cleaning device, using an oscillating movement. Other useful compositions that can be used in this step are the following: Percent Ingredient (in weight) (Scale: weight) BPP 4.0 0.1-4.0% AS of C12-C-14 0.4 0.1-0.5% Surfactant (optional) * 0.1 0-0.5% H202 0.25 0.25-7.0 Water (distilled or deionized ) The rest 95-99.8% objective pH = 5.0-7.0, preferably 6.0. * Optional non-ionic surfactants in the compositions herein are preferably N- methylglucamides of C- | 2-C- | 4 or alcohols of C- | 2-C- | 6 ethoxylates (EO 1 -10).

The foregoing illustrates pre-stain compositions that use the AS surfactant. An improved cleaning performance can be achieved using MgAES and amine oxide surfactants, although possibly with some reduction in phase stability. In this way, the aqueous compositions with ca. 2-3% of BPP can be stabilized using MgAES surfactants. However, for compositions containing 4% and greater, BPP, the formulator may wish to include AS surfactant. The quantity and mixture of surfactants it will depend on the degree of phase stability dependent on the temperature desired by the formulator. Amine oxide surfactants such as dimethyldodecylamine oxide can also be used in the compositions. The fabric pre-treated with spots is placed in an "envelope" style bag with flexible ejection together with a carrier sheet that is covered in an apertured film cover sheet and which contains approximately 20-30 g of water. cleaning / cooling composition and water according to any of the above descriptions, and optionally containing BPP in other cleaning solvents herein at levels of 0.5% -6%. The bag is closed using a VELCROR type fastener. The closure provides a space for vapor ejection along the mouth of the bag, but is strong enough to retain the fabric in the bag during treatment. In a typical mode, the bag will have a volume of approximately 25,000 cm 3, which will accommodate up to approximately 2 kg of dry fabrics. When the fabrics and the sheet are placed in the bag, the air is preferably expelled by crushing the bag before closing it. The closed bag is placed in a conventional hot air clothes dryer. The dryer is started and the bag is stirred for a period of 20-30 minutes at a dryer air temperature in the range of about 40 ° C to about 150 ° C. During this time, the article comes into close contact with the fabrics, but staining of the water due to the cover sheet is avoided. Vapors and odors, as well as volatile materials are released from the bag through the expulsion into the mouth of the bag and then out of the dryer. After the cycle of the machine is completed, the fabrics are removed from the bag and hung to complete the drying and to avoid wrinkling, and the worn sheet is discarded. The bag is retained for reuse. The fabrics are cleaned, get freshness and are essentially wrinkle free. Overall cleanliness, freshness and wrinkle removal is ensured when from about 8 g to about 200 g of the preferred compositions are used per kg of fabric being treated. As can be seen from the description herein, the present invention provides thus: in a method for cleaning / refreshing fabrics, preferably in a hot air apparatus such as a conventional clothes dryer, the improvement comprises, in a spot removal step for cleaning gives localized soiled areas of the fabrics, applying a peroxide-containing spot cleaning composition to said areas, and contacting said areas with the convex device hereof, preferably using manual pressure with a oscillating movement, with which the dirt is eliminated from the fabrics without damage by friction to them. In a further improvement, the stain cleaning composition comprises more than about 90%, preferably more than about 95%, by weight, of water. In still further improvement, the aforementioned aqueous composition is prepared from ingredients such as those described herein that do not leave unacceptable amounts of visible residue on the fabric. In still an improvementIn addition, the use of detersive tepsioactive agents in the compositions is within the parameters described herein.

EXAMPLE V A cloth that will be cleaned is visually inspected for areas with high levels of stains. Said areas are moistened with the peroxide composition of the present, by gently touching them with a sheet article of the above type. As shown in Figure 4, the device is used to loosen the stain without damaging the surface of the fabric. As also shown in Figure 4, an absorbent pad receptor in the form of a FAM foam pad (501), or the TBAL structure described above, lies below the stained area (207) of the fabric during the pre-stamped procedure. . Once the stain is loosened, the area of the fabric can optionally be re-struck again then with the sheet item. The pre-treated fabric with regard to stains and the article of sheet are placed in a flexible bag (most preferably repaired from a nylon film of 25.4-76.2 microns). The bag closes and is sealed using a Velcro® type fastener. Other fasteners such as a nylon saw and Zip-LokR type fasteners can also be used. In a typical mode, the bag will have a volume of approximately 25,000 cm3, which will accommodate up to 2 kilograms of dry fabrics. When the fabrics and the cleaning sheet in dry are placed in the bag, the air preferably is not removed by crushing the bag before closing it and sealing it. This allows the bag to be curled, thus providing enough space for the fabrics and cleaning sheet to swirl freely with each other. The bag is then sawn, sealed and placed in a conventional hot air clothes dryer. The dryer is turned on and the bag is stirred for a period of 20-30 minutes at a dryer air temperature in the range of about 40 ° C to about 150 ° C. During this time, the blade comes into close contact with the fabrics. After the cycle of the machine is completed, the bag and its contents are removed from the dryer and the spent dry cleaning sheet is discarded. The nylon bag is retained for reuse. In an alternative and more preferred embodiment, the bag may be vapor permeable and / or may be provided with holes or slots to allow the release of steam during the hot air clothes dryer cleaning step. The fabrics are cleaned and obtain freshness. The water present in the cleaning composition serves to minimize wrinkles in the fabrics. Excellent overall cleaning is ensured when from about 3 g to about 50 g of the preferred cleaning compositions per kilogram of fabric being cleaned is used. In addition to the optional surfactants in the cleaning compositions herein are preferably ethoxylated Cg-C-J8 alcohols (EO-15) or the corresponding ethoxylated alkyl phenols, they may contain enzymes to further increase the cleaning performance. You can use enzymes lipases, amylases and proteases, or mixtures thereof. If used, said enzymes will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the composition. Commercial detersive enzymes such as LIPOLASE, ESPERASE, ALCALASE, SAVINASE AND TERMAMYL (all ex.NOVO) and MAXATASE and RAPIDASE (ex.International Bio-Synthesis, Inc.) can be used. If an antistatic benefit is desired, the compositions herein used may contain an antistatic agent. If used, said antistatic agents will typically comprise at least about 0.5%, typically from about 2% to about 8% by weight of the compositions. Preferred antistatics include the series of sulfonated polymers available as VERSAFLEX 157, 207, 1001, 204 and 7000 from National Starch and Chemical Company. The compositions herein may be optionally stabilized for storage using conventional preservatives such as KATHON® at a level of 0.0001% -1%. in weigh.

EXAMPLE VI In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the pre-stain operation of the present invention for removing stains from an area located on a fabric prior to treatment within the dryer with the article of this invention, it is conducted: (a) by exposing the area containing said stain to an absorbent stain receiver; (b) applying a fluid cleaning composition (stain pre-tracer) to said stain from a container having a spout nozzle; and (c) rubbing or pressing said cleaning composition into said spot using the distal tip of said nozzle, by means of which said spot is transferred into the spot sink. In this embodiment, the face of the distal tip of said nozzle can be concave, convex, flat or the like. The combination of the container plus the nozzle is jointly referred to herein as the "spout". In more detail, the dispenser used herein comprises a container for the liquid composition for pre-stain removal, said container having dispensing means comprising a nozzle, preferably in the form of a hollow tube, which is connected to said container and is in communication with the intepor of it. During use, a portion of the liquid composition within the interior of said container flows out therefrom through said nozzle, out of the distal end of said nozzle, and onto the spot being treated. The user maintains contact between the tip, the composition and the stain, and manipulates the composition by spraying, dipping, pressing or the like, using the distal tip to apply the composition to the stain. A circular rubbing motion It is typical. By these means, the composition can be applied over the stained area. As the stain is loosened by the combined use of the mechanical handling mentioned above and the pre-stain composition, the stain residues and the stain-removing composition are separated from the fabric and deposited in the underlying stain receiver. Preferably, the fabric is then repositioned, so that a new area of the stain receiver is placed under other stained areas, and the process is repeated until the previous stain removal operation is completed. The fabrics can then be used, as desired, or otherwise washed or dry cleaned. A typical dispenser of the present has the following dimensions, which should not be considered as limiting thereof. The volume of the container bottle used in the dispenser is typically from 59 ml to 118 ml. The largest container bottle can be high density polyethylene. Low density polyethylene is preferably used for the smaller bottle because it is easier to crush. The overall length of the nozzle is approximately 1.89 cm. The nozzle is of a generally conical shape, with a diameter at its proximal base (where it joins the container bottle) of approximately 1.51 cm and its distal base of 4.6 mm. The diameter of the channel within the nozzle through which the pre-stain fluid flows is approximately 1.57 mm. In this mode, the channel runs from the container bottle for a distance of approximately 1.2 cm and then it expands slightly as it communicates with the cavity to form the exit orifice at the distal end of the nozzle. A pre-stain formula for use herein with the aforementioned spout and a TBAL receiver and FAM foam is as follows.

INGREDIENT% by weight (non-ionic) Hydrogen peroxide 1,000 Aminotris acid (methylene phosphonic 0.040 Butoxipropoxypropanol (BPP) 2,000 Neodol 23 6.5 0.250 Conservative Kathon 0.0003 Water 96.710 Target pH = 7, scale = 6-8 * Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide The following example illustrates a type of FAM foam of the stain receiver for use in the pre-stain step of the general procedure herein. The acquisition and absorbency of the FAM with respect to the liquid pre-stain compositions of the present are superior to most other types of absorbent materials. For example, the FAM has a capacity of approximately 6 g (H20) per gram of foam at a suction pressure of 100 cm of water. On the contrary, the structures of Wood cellulose fiber substantially lack capacity above approximately 80 cm of water. Since, in the present process, the volume of the liquid spot pretreator used is relatively low (a few milliliters are typical), the amount of FAM used may be small. This means that the FAM pad that is below the stained area of the fabric can be quite thin and still be effective. However, if it is too thin, the pad may tend to crumble during use. (As mentioned above, a reinforcement sheet can be applied to the FAM to help preserve its integrity). Stain-receiving pads made of foam FAM can be used in any of two ways. In one embodiment, the uncompressed foam is used. Uncompressed FAM pads having a thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 15 mm are useful. In another embodiment, the FAM foam can be used in a compressed state which swells as the liquid spot pretreator is imbibed with its charge of stained material. Suitable compressed FAM foams having thicknesses in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 3.4 mm are suitable herein. The preparation of FAM foam (also sometimes referred to in the literature as "HIPE", ie, internal phase aita emulsion) is described in the patents cited above. The following example illustrates the preparation of a compressed foam for use herein having a thickness of approximately 0.063 cm. Said foams compressed in the 0.063 scale cm to 0.068 cm are especially useful as the spot receptor of the present.

EXAMPLE VII Preparation of FAM emulsion and foams from the same A) Preparation of the emulsion Anhydrous calcium chloride (36.32 kg) and potassium persulfate (189 g) are dissolved in 378 liters of water. This provides the water phase stream that will be used in a continuous process to form the emulsion. To a combination of monomer comprising distilled divinylbenzene (42.4% divinylbenzene and 57.6% ethyl styrene) (1980 g), 2-ethylhexylacrylate (3300 g) and hexanediolacrylate (720 g), a diglycerol monooleate emulsifier ( 360 g), ditallow dimethyl ammonium methylisulfate (60 g) and Tinuvín 765 (15 g). The diglycerol monooleate emulsifier (Grindsted Products, Brabrand, Denmark) comprises approximately 81% diglycerol monooleate, 1% other diglycerol monoesters, 3% polyols and 15% other polyglycerol esters, imparts a minimum stress value interfacial oil / water of approximately 2.7 dynes / cm, and has a critical oil / water aggregation concentration of approximately 2.8% by weight. After mixing, this combination of materials is allowed to settle overnight. No visible residue is formed, and the entire mixture is separates and is used as the oil phase in a continuous process to form the emulsion. Separate currents are fed from the oil phase (25 ° C) and the water phase (53 ° -55 ° C) to a dynamic mixing apparatus. The complete mixing of the combined streams in the dynamic mixing apparatus is accomplished by a pin propellant. The pin propellant comprises a cylindrical shaft of approximately 36.8 cm in length with a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm. The shaft holds 6 rows of pins, 3 rows that have 33 pins and 3 rows that have 32 pins, each having a diameter of 0.5 cm extending out from the axis of the shaft to a length of 2.5 cm. The pin propeller is mounted on a cylindrical sleeve that forms the dynamic mixing apparatus, and the pins have a 1.5 mm clearance from the walls of the cylindrical sleeve. A smaller portion of the effluent leaving the dynamic mixing apparatus is separated and enters a recirculation zone; see PCT of E.U.A. 96/00082, published July 18, 1996, and EPO 96 / 905110.1, filed January 11, 1996. The Waukesha pump in the recirculation zone returns the smaller portion to the point of entry of the phase flow streams of oil and water to the dynamic mixing zone. The combined mixing and recirculating apparatus is filled with the oil phase and the water phase at a ratio of four parts water to one part oil. The dynamic mixing apparatus is ejected to allow air to escape while the apparatus is fully filled. The flow rates during filling they are 7.6 g / sec for the oil phase, and 30.3 cc / sec for the water phase. After the apparatus fills, the ejection is closed. Agitation is then initiated in the dynamic mixer, with the propeller rotating at 1450 rpm, and the recirculation commenced at a rate of approximately 30 cc / sec. The flow rate of the water phase then rapidly increases at a rate of 151 cc / sec over a period of about 1 minute, and the flow rate of the oil phase is reduced to 3 g / sec over a period of approximately 3 minutes. The recirculation speed starts quickly at approximately 150 cc / sec during the last period. The back pressure created by the dynamic mixer and the static mixing zone (TAH Industries, Model Number 101-212) at this point is approximately 101.4 kPa, which represents the total return pressure of the system. The speed of the Waukesha pump is then rapidly reduced to produce a recirculation velocity of approximately 75 cc / sec. The speed of the propellant is then rapidly increased to 1550 fm for a period of approximately 10 seconds. The back pressure increases to approximately 112 kPa.

B) Polymerization of the emulsion The emulsion flow of the static mixer is collected in a polypropylene round tub 43 cm in diameter and 10 cm in height, with a concentric insert made of Ceicon plastic. The insert is 12.7 cm diameter at its base, 12 cm in diameter in its supepor part and 17.1 cm in height. The vats containing emulsion are kept in a room maintained at 65 ° C for 18 hours to produce the polymerization and form the foam.

C) Washing and removing water from the foam The FAM foam is removed from the healing tanks. At this point, the foam has a residual water phase (containing emulsifiers, electrolyte, initiator residues and dissolved initiator) of about 45 to 55 times the weight of the polymerized monomers. The foam is sliced with a sharp alternative saw blade on leaves that are 0.47 cm thick. These sheets are then subjected to compression in a series of 2 vacuum-equipped porous gripping rollers that gradually reduce the residual water phase content of the foam to approximately 6 times the weight of the polymerized material. At this point, the sheets are then resaturated with a 1.5% CaCl 2 solution at 60 ° C, and are compressed into a series of 3 porous gripping rollers equipped with vacuum at a water phase content of about 4 times. The CaCl 2 content of the foam is between 8 and 10%. The foam remains compressed after the final grip to a thickness of approximately 0.063 cm. The foam is then dried in air for about 16 hours. Said drying reduces the moisture content to approximately 9 to 17% by weight of the poiimerized material.

At this point, the foam sheets are very collapsible. In this collapsed state, the density of the foam is approximately 0.14 g / cc. As described above, to be used as a stain receiver in the pre-stain operation herein, a FAM sheet is placed below, and in close contact with, the back side of the stained area of a fabric. A portion of the pre-stain composition is dispensed onto the front side of the fabric, and handled in the stain by means of the cleaning device or the tip of the spout, as described above. The excess of the pre-stain composition and its filler of stained material is thus transferred into the underlying foam pad.

EXAMPLE VIII A device for sale to consumers is assembled, and comprises: a) a convex cleaning device, as shown in the figures; b) a portion of the spot cleaning composition herein containing peroxide; c) a reusable container bag which may be for non-expulsion, or preferably, for expulsion; d) sheets for multiple cleaning / refreshing (typically 3 to 10) for individual use; e) optionally, a reusable container tray; and f) optionally, one or more spot receptors. The instructions for use are included in the equipment.

Claims (16)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A stain cleaning composition, characterized in that it comprises: a) at least about 89%, by weight, of water; b) from about 0% to about 10%, by weight, of an organic cleaning solvent; c) from about 0.25% to about 7%, by weight, of hydrogen peroxide; d) optionally, a detersive surfactant; and e) optionally, a peroxide stabilizing amount of a chelating agent.

2. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the organic cleaning solvent is butoxypropoxypropanol.

3. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that hydrogen peroxide is present at a concentration of about 0.5% to about 3%, by weight.

4. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises not more than about 0.75%, by weight, of the detersive surfactant.

5. The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the chelating agent is an amiphosphonate chelator.

6. - The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises from about 95% to about 99%, by weight, of water, and is formulated at a pH of from about 3 to about 8%.

7. A method for removing stains from a stained area of fabrics using a convex cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) applying a stain-cleaning composition containing peroxide according to claim 1, to said stained area; b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabrics with the treatment members of said device; and c) apply force to said device.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that step (c) involves an oscillating movement imparted to the device.

9. The process according to claim 7, further characterized in that it is carried out in conjunction with a receptacle located below the stained area of the fabrics, thereby achieving a saturated or partially saturated environment.

10. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that it is carried out in conjunction with an absorbent stain receptor which is located below the stained area of the fabric.

11. - A general procedure of cleaning without immersion to treat a stained fabric, characterized in that it comprises an operation of pre-stamped, and comprises the general steps of: a) applying a stain cleaning composition according to claim 1, to said stained area; b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabrics with the treatment members of a convex cleaning device; c) applying directional force Z to said device; d) placing the pre-stamped fabric together with a vehicle containing an aqueous cleaning / freshening composition in a container bag; e) place the bag in a hot-air clothes dryer, and operate the dryer with heat and stirring; and f) extracting the fabric from the bag.

12. The method according to claim 11, further characterized in that vapors are expelled from the bag during step (e).

13. The complete washing process for treating a stained area of fabric, comprising a pre-stamped operation, characterized in that it comprises the general steps of: a) applying a stain-cleaning composition according to claim 1, to said stained area; b) concurrently or consecutively with step (a), contacting the stained area of the fabrics with the treatment members of a convex cleaning device; c) applying directional force Z to said device; and d) washing the fabrics in a conventional aqueous washing process.

14. A dry cleaning equipment, characterized in that it comprises: a) a convex cleaning device; b) a composition stain cleaner according to claim 1; c) a reusable container bag; d) multiple sheets for individual use that releasably contain an aqueous cleaning / freshening composition; e) optionally, a reusable container tray; and f) optionally, one or more absorbent stain receptors.

15. The confomiity equipment with claim 14, further characterized in that it additionally contains instructions for use that promote the use of a downward oscillating movement with said device, and that discourages the use of a side-to-side rubbing movement.

16. The equipment according to claim 15, further characterized in that said instructions are included in the device itself.