US20060174421A1 - Process for extracting liquid from a fabric - Google Patents

Process for extracting liquid from a fabric Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060174421A1
US20060174421A1 US11/300,714 US30071405A US2006174421A1 US 20060174421 A1 US20060174421 A1 US 20060174421A1 US 30071405 A US30071405 A US 30071405A US 2006174421 A1 US2006174421 A1 US 2006174421A1
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surfactant
liquid
monolayer
fabric
surface tension
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Daniel Carter
Dinesh Shah
Shulin Zhang
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University of Florida Research Foundation Inc
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Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. reassignment UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THE PROCTOR & GAMBLE COMPANY
Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. reassignment UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CARTER, DANIEL LARRY, SHAH, DINESH OCHHAVLAL
Assigned to THE PROCTOR & GAMBLE COMPANY reassignment THE PROCTOR & GAMBLE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ZHANG, SHULIN LARRY
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06B—TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS
    • D06B15/00—Removing liquids, gases or vapours from textile materials in association with treatment of the materials by liquids, gases or vapours
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
    • C11D1/65—Mixtures of anionic with cationic compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
    • C11D1/83—Mixtures of non-ionic with anionic compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/66—Non-ionic compounds
    • C11D1/835—Mixtures of non-ionic with cationic compounds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F35/00—Washing machines, apparatus, or methods not otherwise provided for
    • D06F35/005—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying
    • D06F35/007—Methods for washing, rinsing or spin-drying for spin-drying only
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
    • C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
    • C11D1/14—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
    • C11D1/146—Sulfuric acid esters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/38—Cationic compounds
    • C11D1/62—Quaternary ammonium compounds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/40—Specific cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/42—Application of foam or a temporary coating on the surface to be cleaned
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/40—Specific cleaning or washing processes
    • C11D2111/44—Multi-step processes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process of extracting liquid from a fabric having a first content of liquid through the use of a surfactant monolayer at the air-liquid interface of the liquid in the fabric and a surfactant penetrant.
  • the amount of liquid remaining in fabric at the end of a washing cycle increases the time and energy required to dry the fabric.
  • the reduction in the amount of time and energy in drying the fabric has been of great interest to consumers. It is widely believed that water wicks into fabric due to capillary forces operating between fabric fibers that create capillaries. If capillary forces are indeed the cause of water retention, then the capillary rise in the fabrics should be governed by the LaPlace equation for capillary rise. These forces can be strong or weak depending on the weave of the fabric as well as the composition of the fabric. For example, cotton fibers typically hold about 75-80% of initial water after the spin cycle of a washing machine.
  • the present invention relates to a process of extracting liquid from a fabric having a first content of liquid.
  • the process comprises: creating a surfactant monolayer at an air-liquid interface of the liquid in the fabric, wherein the monolayer has a first surface tension; penetrating the surfactant monolayer with a surfactant penetrant to reduce the surface tension at the air-liquid interface for a period of time; and subjecting the fabric to mechanical extraction during the period of time to reduce the liquid content of the fabric to a second liquid content.
  • the process of the present invention is advantageous for providing good extraction of liquid from a fabric or other porous materials and may be employed in both consumer and industrial applications.
  • FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic illustrations of transient surface tension mechanisms of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising sodium tetradecyl sulfate (C 14 SO 4 ) penetrated into a solution of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C 16 TAB) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a C 16 TAB monolayer according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4-7 set forth surface tension properties of exemplary surfactant systems comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into various surfactant monolayers according to third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
  • FIG. 8 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide penetrated into a stearic acid monolayer according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a 1:10 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) monolayer according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 10 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a 1:5 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) monolayer according to a ninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 11 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a 1:3 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) monolayer according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 12 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a 1:2 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) monolayer according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • DODAB dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide
  • FIG. 13 sets forth surface tension properties of a surfactant system comprising C 14 SO 4 penetrated into a 1:5 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) monolayer according to a twelfth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • DODAB dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide
  • the liquid content remaining in fabric, for example clothing, linens or the like, at the end of a washing cycle largely determines the time and energy required to dry consumer bundles of fabrics.
  • the reduction of time and energy in drying laundry has been of great interest to consumers.
  • a real challenge in drying laundry is to achieve the desired reduction in drying time and energy for an average consumer bundle of fabrics, which comprise various fabric types having different water retention properties.
  • an average consumer bundle of fabric may comprise a mixture of cotton towels in the same consumer bundle as synthetic/cotton mixed fabric clothing.
  • Perceived “hard-to-dry” items such as cotton fabrics with thicker weaves often result in the longest drying time and highest energy requirements, even after the use of mechanical drying means such as washing machines with a spin stage.
  • the present invention relates to a process of extracting the liquid content from a fabric to a reduced second liquid content through the use of a mechanical extraction means and a surfactant monolayer created at an air-liquid interface in the fabric and a surfactant penetrant capable of reducing the surface tension at the air-liquid interface for a period of time.
  • the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant are utilized during the washing process, which is commonly accomplished through the use of a washing machine having a mechanical extraction means such as a spin stage.
  • a reduced second liquid content means a liquid content that would be less than that achieved by use of a mechanical extraction means alone.
  • fabric refers to natural, synthetic, and mixed natural/synthetic materials, including but not limited to silk, wool, cotton, rayon, nylon, polyesters, lycra, and spandex.
  • liquid refers to any aqueous bases material that can have a liquid form at room temperatures (about 0° C. to about 60° C.) or can comprise a mixture of liquid and vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25° C. and 101 kPa (1 atm) pressure.
  • liquid further refers to a pure liquid, a solution, or a colloid suspension of solids in an aqueous material, such as water.
  • liquid content refers to the liquid held interstitially in a fabric weave or structure such as void spaces.
  • the liquid content may range from saturated to dry.
  • “Dry” as used herein refers to fabric that has no damp feel when touched.
  • “Saturated” as used herein refers to fabric that has the maximum liquid content of the fabric.
  • an “effective amount” refers to an amount of a material or additive that when utilized delivers a perceivable benefit, such as the amount of water extracted from fabric.
  • the washing process of a typical washing machine comprises the following stages.
  • Washing stage refers the stage where the washing machine fills with water to a predetermined volume, agitates for a specified period of time, drains the washing liquor, and then the machine spins the fabrics.
  • Rinse stage refers the next stage wherein the washing machine fills with water to a predetermined volume, agitates for a specified period of time, and then drains the water as the machine spins the fabrics.
  • fabrics become wet with the wash liquor and have a first liquid content.
  • wash stage refers to water dropped onto the fabrics during the rinse stage, but not retained or held in the washing machine.
  • flash refers to water dropped onto the fabrics during the rinse stage, but not retained or held in the washing machine.
  • a type of mechanical extraction means to further remove the liquid content from the fabrics may be used. It is intended that the claimed process of the present invention encompass mechanical extraction means separate from a washing machine as well as mechanical extraction means incorporated as part of the washing machine.
  • spin stage refers to a stage wherein the washing machine incorporates a mechanical extraction means. A reduced second liquid content may be measured at the end of the spin stage.
  • One exemplary embodiment comprises a washing machine spin cycle for a specified period of time without the addition of water to the washing machine.
  • the surfactant monolayer utilized in the present process may be created at the air-liquid interface of the liquid content held interstitially in a fabric weave or structure such as void spaces at any time during the washing process.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created at the air-liquid interface during the washing stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created at the air-liquid interface during the rinse stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created at the air-liquid interface immediately prior to any mechanical extraction, such as, immediately prior to the spin stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created at the air-liquid interface during the splash portion of the rinse stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer may be created at the air-liquid interface during the spin stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created by the addition of a one dose form at any of these stages.
  • the surfactant penetrant may be added at any time during the washing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the surfactant penetrant is added after the surfactant monolayer has been created. In another exemplary embodiment, the surfactant penetrant is contacted with the fabric having a first liquid content during the washing stage. In another exemplary embodiment, the surfactant penetrant is contacted with the fabric having a first liquid content during the rinse stage. In an alternative embodiment, the surfactant penetrant is contacted with the fabric having a first liquid content immediately prior to any mechanical extraction, for example in one exemplary embodiment, immediately prior to the spin stage. In yet another alternative embodiment, the surfactant penetrant is contacted with the fabric having a first liquid content during the splash portion of the rinse stage. The surfactant penetrant may be added in a one dose form at any of these stages.
  • the penetration of the surfactant monolayer with a surfactant penetrant during any of these stages is believed to result in a reduced second liquid content of the fabric when the mechanical extraction means is applied.
  • the surfactant penetrant may be located in the liquid content (i.e., the liquid held interstitially in a fabric weave or structure such as void spaces).
  • the surfactant penetrant is applied onto the fabric during one of the stages of the washing process.
  • the process can further comprise the step of subjecting the fabric to mechanical drying, air-drying, or a combination thereof.
  • air drying includes indoor or outdoor drying, such as line drying.
  • exemplary mechanical drying means include vacuum drying or heat drying such as that which occurs in commercial or in-home drying machines.
  • a reduction in the amount of liquid content during the spin cycle of the washing process is believed to correspond to a reduction in drying time of a fabric. It is believed that by decreasing the surface tension of the air-liquid interface, more liquid content can be removed from the fabric while applying the same centrifugal force in the spin cycles of washing process.
  • the liquid content is directly proportional to the surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the wash liquor.
  • concentration of the surfactant is increased, the surface tension at the air-liquid interface is lowered until the solution critical micelle concentration (CMC) is reached. After the CMC is reached, the surface tension at the air-liquid interface typically remains constant. While not intending to be bound by theory, the liquid content should follow this trend (i.e., lower until CMC is reached and then remain constant after the CMC of the surfactant is reached) since it is believed that liquid content typically decreases as surface tension decreases.
  • the present invention comprises a process of extracting liquid from a fabric by creating a surface tension at the air-liquid interface significantly lower than that of these common typical surfactants. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that a decrease in surface tension of the air-liquid interface is achieved by creating a surfactant monolayer and then penetrating the monolayer with a surfactant penetrant.
  • a “monolayer” is a one molecule thick adsorbed layer of surfactant at an interface.
  • the surface tension can be significantly altered.
  • the monolayer is at the air-liquid interface of the liquid content.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created by dissolving a surfactant in solvent and then spreading the dissolved surfactant over the air-liquid interface of the liquid content. The solvent then evaporates and the surfactant reaches an equilibrium and forms the monolayer ( FIG. 1A ).
  • the addition of a surfactant with mismatched chain lengths to a surfactant monolayer can result in the excess hydrocarbon tails disrupting the molecular packing and creating a supersaturation period which can lead to lower interaction energies and a resulting decrease in surface tension ( FIG. 1B ).
  • FIG. 1C As the air-liquid interface equilibrates. 1C ), the surface tension increases. Without being limited to a theory, it is believed that due to the surface activity of the surfactants, the air-liquid interface can become super saturated and then equilibrate.
  • the surface tension of the air-liquid interface is decreased after the surfactant penetrant penetrates the monolayer for a period of time ranging from about 10 seconds to about 3,000 seconds.
  • the surface tension is decreased by the present process for a period of time comprising at least 300 seconds, alternatively for a period of time comprising at least 900 seconds.
  • the surface tension is decreased for a period of time comprising at least 1,000 seconds.
  • the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant used in the process of the present invention are capable of reducing the surface tension of the liquid content to a range of from about 20 mN/m to about 1 mN/m; in an alternative embodiment, from about 10 mN/m to about 1 mN/m, and in a further exemplary embodiment, from about 5 mN/m to about 1 mN/m.
  • the reduction in surface tension of the liquid content trapped by capillary forces interstitially in the fabric weave or in void spaces (i.e., liquid content) results in larger volumes of the liquid content being removed from the fabric by the same amount of mechanical extraction.
  • the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant are not required to be deposited or attached to the fabric surface or fiber after the rinse cycle. Therefore, the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant of the present invention encompass benefit agents that are not required to modify the surface properties of the fabric, but rather modify the properties of the liquid in the fabric fibers (i.e., liquid content). In one exemplary embodiment, the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant do not result in excessive foaming as they are added during the washing process and the fabric does not need to be further contacted with additional liquid to eliminate any foaming that results there from.
  • selection of a surfactant monolayer optimizes surface tension reduction with the least amount of material added into the laundry process under common consumer conditions. While not being limited to a theory, it is believed that a mixed monolayer may form tighter packing in the monolayer due to electrostatic interactions between headgroups.
  • the surfactant monomer is sufficiently dispersible in the predetermined volume of liquid in the washing stage or the rinse stage so that an effective amount of surfactant monolayer is created throughout a consumer bundle of fabric.
  • the surfactant monolayer and the surfactant penetrant are oppositely charged. While not be limited to a theory, it is believed that the opposite charges result in tighter packing which leads to lower surface tension at the air-liquid interface.
  • Surfactants may comprise a surfactant or surfactant system comprising one or more surfactants selected from nonionic, anionic, cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, and/or semi-polar nonionic surfactants, other adjuncts such as alkyl alcohols, or mixtures thereof.
  • Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants include, mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates, modified linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, linear and branched chain alkyl sulfates, linear and branched chain alkyl alkoxy sulfates, and fatty carboxylates.
  • Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include alkyl ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and alkyl glycosides.
  • Other suitable surfactants include amine oxides, quaternery ammonium surfactants, and amidoamines.
  • Nonlimiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: C 8 -C 18 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); C 8 -C 22 primary, branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); C 8 -C 22 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates; C 8 -C 22 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AE x S) wherein x is from 1-30; C 18 -C 22 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No.
  • One exemplary anionic surfactant is sodium tetradecyl sulfate (C 14 SO 4 ).
  • Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include: C 8 -C 22 alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell; C 6 -C 12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein the alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units; C 8 -C 22 alcohol and C 6 -C 12 alkyl phenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block alkyl polyamine ethoxylates such as PLURONIC® from BASF; C 14 -C 22 mid-chain branched alcohols, BA, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
  • Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include: the quaternary ammonium surfactants, which can have up to 26 carbon atoms include: alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO 98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006; cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
  • AQA alkoxylate quaternary ammonium
  • the surfactant penetrant may further include adjuncts materials to deliver further benefits other than fast drying of the fabrics.
  • adjuncts materials include, but are not limited to, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, anti-abrasion agents, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids and/or pigments, and other fabric care agents.
  • suitable examples of such other adjuncts and levels of use are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,348 B1.
  • adjuncts which assist in achieving the desired results of the present invention and aid in the performance of the surfactant monolayer and surfactant penetrant system.
  • such adjuncts can improve the packing of the surfactant penetrant with the surfactant monolayer at the desired interface (e.g., water/air).
  • suds suppressors it may be desired in the present invention to use suds suppressors to prevent excess foaming.
  • Excess foaming refers to the formation of visible foams on clothes at the end of rinse, or the resulted foam (suds) hindering the spinning action of the washer drum, an phenomenon referred as “suds locking”.
  • suds suppressors A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979).
  • the present invention may also contain non-surfactant suds suppressors.
  • hydrocarbon suds suppressors include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons, N-alkylated amino triazines, monostearyl phosphates, silicone suds suppressors, secondary alcohols (e.g., 2-alkyl alkanols) and mixtures of such alcohols with silicone oils.
  • Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al.
  • Silicone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al and EP 354 016.
  • Mixtures of alcohols and silicone oils are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,798,679, 4,075,118 and EP 150,872. Additional examples of all of the aforementioned suds suppressors may be found in WO00/27958.
  • the surfactant monolayer comprises a single surfactant.
  • exemplary surfactants include hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C 16 TAB); didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB); and dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB).
  • the surfactant monolayer comprises a mixed surfactant system.
  • Exemplary mixed surfactant monolayers comprise sodium tetradecyl sulfate (C 14 SO 4 ) with DODAB.
  • the mixed surfactant monolayer comprises a molecular ratio of the C 14 SO 4 :DODAB in the monolayer ranging from about 1:10 to about 10:1. In an alternative embodiment, the molecular ratio of the C 1 4 SO 4 :DODAB in the monolayer ranges from about 1:10 to about 1:3. One specific exemplary molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB in the monolayer is about 1:5.
  • the surfactant penetrant comprises an anionic surfactant.
  • One exemplary anionic surfactant penetrant is sodium tetradecyl sulfate (C 14 SO 4 ).
  • the surfactant penetrant comprises a concentration of from about 0.1 mM to about 50 mM C 14 SO 4 ; alternatively, the concentration of the surfactant penetrant (C 14 SO 4 ) is about 4 mM.
  • the amount of surfactant penetrant delivered is from about 0.1 mmol to about 5 mmol for each m 2 of the total liquid surface area in the fabric; alternatively, the amount of the surfactant penetrant delivered is about 3.3 mmol for each m 2 of the total liquid surface area in the fabric.
  • the surfactant monolayer component(s) are dissolved into one or more solvents.
  • any compatible solvents may be utilized in the present invention which allows the surfactant monolayer to be created on the air-liquid interface of the liquid in the fabric.
  • exemplary solvents include: ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, chloroform, hexane. It is understood that the use of any of these solvents may be limited by compatibility with the device and conditions of the application.
  • the surfactant penetrant in a washing machine system, may be present in a laundry detergent, a fabric softener or it can be added as part of the one of the washing stages, such as the rinse or spin stage.
  • the surfactant monolayer is sprayed or otherwise delivered onto the fabrics during the spin stage allowing a surfactant monolayer to be created on the air-liquid interface of the liquid content.
  • the surfactant monolayer is created during the spin stage.
  • the present invention can be useful for removing liquid from surfaces other than fabrics, such as in oil recovery and in drying surfaces of semiconductors, ceramics, metals, glasses, plastics, silicon wafers and laser disks.
  • One exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of removing liquid from a surface having a first amount of liquid.
  • the method comprises: creating a surfactant monolayer at an air-liquid interface of the liquid on the surface, wherein the surfactant monolayer has a first surface tension and is free of fluorosurfacants or silicone surfactants; penetrating the surfactant monolayer with a surfactant penetrant free of fluorosurfacants or silicone surfactants to reduce the first surface tension at the air-liquid interface for a period of time; and subjecting the surface to mechanical extraction during the period of time to reduce the first amount of liquid to a second amount of liquid.
  • Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a process of reducing the surface tension of a liquid.
  • the process comprises: creating a surfactant monolayer at an air-liquid interface of the liquid, wherein the surfactant monolayer has a first surface tension and is free of fluorosurfacants or silicone surfactants; and penetrating the surfactant monolayer with a surfactant penetrant free of fluorosurfacants or silicone surfactants to reduce the first surface tension from about 1 mN/m to about 17.5 mN/m at the air-liquid interface for a period of time.
  • the surface tension measurements of the present invention are made using the Wilhelmy Plate method.
  • the output from a gram-force sensor holding the plate is sent to a transducer and then output to a voltage readout.
  • the system calibrates using two known solutions (water at 72.5 mN/m and acetone at 23 mN/m).
  • the platinum plate is heated using a torch between each reading to clean off any surface impurities.
  • RMC residual moisture content
  • a fabric sample is first weighed while dry; and then the fabric sample is soaked for ten minutes in solution and centrifuged for ten minutes.
  • the centrifuge tube has a copper insert.
  • the copper insert has one closed end and one flared end to prevent it from falling into the centrifuge tube.
  • the copper insert has 3/16 inch holes through it to allow water to drain through the insert into the collection tube. After centrifuging the fabric, the weight is taken to determine the Residual Moisture Content (RMC).
  • RMC Residual Moisture Content
  • the surface tension measurements of monolayer penetration are made using the same the Wilhelmy Plate method above, with the exception of collecting the voltage output using a data acquisition card available from DATAQ Instruments, which allows measuring and recording surface tension as a function of time (approximately 40 times per second).
  • the lowest surface tension achieved is ⁇ 20 mN/m. While not limited by a theory, it is believed that since the C 16 TAB is in bulk solution and not a monolayer, any C 14 SO 4 injected into the system immediately interacts with the bulk surfactant instead of partitioning the air-liquid interface.
  • the monolayer is created by first solubilizing 0.1 wt % of C 16 TAB in a mixture of 3:1:1 volume ratio of hexane to chloroform to methanol. Five ⁇ L of the resulting solution is placed on the surface of 5 mL of distilled water. The solvent (hexane, chloroform and methanol) is allowed to evaporate, thus leaving a C 16 TAB monolayer. Increasing amounts (250 ⁇ L, 500 ⁇ L, 750 ⁇ L and 1000 ⁇ L) of 4 mM C 14 SO 4 are injected beneath the monolayer and the surface tension is measured as a function of time as set forth in FIG. 3 . A transient low surface tension of 17.5 mN/m is achieved for about 20 seconds using 750 ⁇ L of 4 mM C 14 SO 4 .
  • FIG. 4 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a monolayer of arachidyl alcohol (C 20 OH);
  • FIG. 5 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a cholesterol monolayer;
  • FIG. 6 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a monolayer of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide monolayer (DDAB);
  • FIG. 7 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a monolayer of dioctyldecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB).
  • FIG. 4 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a monolayer of arachidyl alcohol (C 20 OH);
  • FIG. 5 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a cholesterol monolayer;
  • FIG. 6 sets forth the surface tension for C 14 SO 4 penetrating a monolayer of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide monolayer
  • FIG. 9 sets forth the results for the 1:10 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB monolayer injected with C 14 SO 4 .
  • the 1:10 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB monolayer system results in a surface tension as low as 19 mN/m.
  • FIG. 10 sets forth the results for the 1:5 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB monolayer injected with C 14 SO 4 .
  • the surface tension drops to approximately 8.5 mN/m with 1000 ⁇ L of C 14 SO 4 injected beneath the monolayer.
  • FIG. 11 sets forth the results for the 1:3 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB monolayer injected with C 14 SO 4 .
  • the minimal surface tension for the 1:3 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :DODAB system is not as low as the 1:5 molecular ratio C 14 SO 4 :DODAB. While not being limited by theory, it is believed that this is due to the molecular packing trying to achieve the 1:3 molecular ratio.
  • a lower ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB the 1:5 system
  • This packing can be optimized by the addition of more C 14 SO 4 beneath the monolayer.
  • the addition of the 4 mM C 14 SO 4 results in what is believed to be a 1:3 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB in the monolayer after the addition of the C 14 SO 4 beneath the monolayer.
  • the monolayer is already at its tightest packing at a 1:3 molecular ratio of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB, it is believed that there is not sufficient room for more C 14 SO 4 to penetrate the monolayer resulting in a higher surface tension than the 1:5 molecular ratio systems.
  • FIG. 12 when higher ratios (1:2) of C 14 SO 4 :DODAB is tested, there is no monolayer present after spreading the universal solvent.
  • the C 14 SO 4 is soluble in water, once the monolayer is spread on the distilled water, it is solubilized into solution due to the increased amount of C 14 SO 4 which results in a higher surface tension (approximately the surface tension of water) that reduces with the addition of C 14 SO 4 .

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Extraction Or Liquid Replacement (AREA)
US11/300,714 2004-12-17 2005-12-15 Process for extracting liquid from a fabric Abandoned US20060174421A1 (en)

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US7954190B2 (en) * 2003-06-19 2011-06-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Process for increasing liquid extraction from fabrics
US20080155756A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-03 Ogden J Michael Method and apparatus for delivering liquid fabric treatment compositions in washing machines
US9688944B2 (en) 2012-04-24 2017-06-27 Stepan Company Synergistic surfactant blends

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US4810253A (en) * 1985-04-01 1989-03-07 Dow Corning Corporation Method of improving the draining of water from textiles during a laundering operation
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US20040255395A1 (en) * 2003-06-19 2004-12-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Process for increasing liquid extraction from fabrics

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CA2591595A1 (en) 2006-06-22
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US20060157088A1 (en) 2006-07-20
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AU2005316249B2 (en) 2010-04-22

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