WO2001030957A1

WO2001030957A1 - Textile stain remover composition and a method for removing stains

Info

Publication number: WO2001030957A1
Application number: PCT/DK2000/000591
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles M. Hansen; Birger Smedegaard
Original assignee: Cps - Chemical Products And Services A/S
Priority date: 1999-10-25
Filing date: 2000-10-25
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU1018401A

Abstract

The invention relates to a stain remover composition for removing stains from textiles comprising an effective amount of a cycloaliphatic solvent having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, preferably greater than 1500, and optionally one or more aliphatic diluents having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, preferably greater than 400, said composition having a total relative evaporation rate of at least 100, preferably of at least 500. The invention also relates to a method for removing stains from textiles using said composition.

Description

TEXTILE STAIN REMOVER COMPOSITION AND A METHOD FOR REMOVING STAINS

The present invention relates to a stain remover composi- tion for removing stains from textiles.

It is well known that textiles are easily stained. The staining may occur either during the fabrication process or by simple use leaving various kinds of spots on the textiles, i.e. oil, paint, ink, coffee, wine, grass and many more.

All sorts of cleaning fluids and pastes have been provided to facilitate removing such stains. Typically, dif- ferent types of stains require different types of removers .

One type of stain remover is described m SU 681 093 A, which relates to a composition comprising 65-75 % (w/w) of cyclohexane and less than 1 % (w/w) of trichloroacetic acid and chlorobenzene .

Another type of stain remover is described m SU 1 594 232 relating to a composition comprising 12-16 % (w/w) of cyclohexane and 3.5-7.5 % (w/w) of isopropyl alcohol. This composition is applied to stained fabric, especially fabric stained with grease and oil, and the stains are removed within a period of 1.5-2.5 minutes by use of vacuum and steam.

However, use of many of the known stain removers often results in removal of the actual stain, but instead a discolouration is found on the textile. Another problem, these days, is that most effective stain removers typically comprise one or more halogenated compounds, which are now considered environmental hazards.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a stain remover composition without the above- mentioned disadvantages.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method to remove stains from textiles that minimizes the health risks and does not expose the person carrying out the method to any excess health hazards.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a stain remover composition that is free or essentially free of halogenated compounds.

Further it is an object of the invention to provide a stain remover composition that does not leave the textile discoloured after use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stain remover composition, which is able to remove stains rapidly and simply.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method to remove stains from textiles using a composition according to the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method to remove stains from textiles that is fast and simple.

These objects are achieved by a composition and a method according to the invention. The invention relates to a stain remover composition for removing stains from textiles comprising an effective amount of a cycloaliphatic solvent having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, preferably greater than 200, more preferably greater than 600, and even more preferably greater than 900, and most preferably greater than 1500. The stain remover may optionally comprise one or more aliphatic diluents having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, preferably greater than 200, more preferably greater than 400, said composition being totally evaporated at standard condition at 1 atm., 20 °C and 50°o moisture degree preferably within 10 minutes, and said composition having a total relative evaporation rate of at least 100, preferably of at least 200, and more preferably of at least 500.

The term "effective amount" is defined as the amount of the particular substance necessary to remove all traces of stains from the textile without causing discolouration or any other damage to the textile.

Relative evaporation rate is defined as the time of 90 % evaporation of the compound m question relative to the time of 90 1 evaporation of n-butylacetate . The evapora- tion rate of n-butylacetate is defined as 100 m ordinary air under atmospheric pressure.

By "total relative evaporation rate" is meant the relative evaporation rate of the composition as a whole.

By "textile" is meant any kind of fabric, textile, garment or the like.

The cycloaliphatic solvent may preferably be cyclopentane or any derivatives thereof and their mixtures. Cyclohex^¬ ane could also be used as the cycloaliphatic solvent. However, any cycloaliphatic solvents having the defined evaporation rate may also be used, e.g. commercially available solvents from Exxon, such as Nappar®.

Preferred derivatives of cyclopentanes are substituted cyclopentanes having a total of up to 9 carbon atoms, whereas preferred derivatives of cyclohexanes are substituted cyclohexanes having a total of up to 10 carbon atoms. The derivatives may contain any functional groups as substituents as long as their relative evaporation rate is not significantly lower than 100.

The aliphatic diluent may preferably be an aliphatic alcohol selected among ethanol, n-propanol, isopropyl alco- hoi, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, iso-butyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

The aliphatic diluent may also be another type of diluent selected among methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetone, acetonitrile, diethylketone, dimethylcarbonate, ethyl ether, ethyl formate, heptane, n-hexane, methyl t-butyl ether, methyl n-butyrate, 2-methylpentane, 3-methyl-pen- tane, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl iso-propyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, iso-pen- tane, n-pentane, iso-propyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, iso-propyl ether, 2, 2, 4-trimethylpentane, and mixtures thereof .

Preferably the aliphatic diluent is a mixture of an alco- hoi and at least one other type of diluent, e.g. an ace^¬ tate or a ketone.

The amount of cycloaliphatic solvent present in the composition according to the invention may preferably be in the range of 1-100 % (v/v) , preferably in the range of 5- 85 % (v/v) , more preferably m the range of 8-70 % (v/v) , and most preferably m the range of 10-50 % (v/v) .

The amount of aliphatic diluent m the composition ac- cording to the invention may preferably be m the range of 0-99 % (v/v) , preferably in the range of 5-95 % (v/v) , more preferably m the range of 20-92 % (v/v) and most preferably m the range of 50-90 %.

The amount of aliphatic diluent may be adjusted m order to meet the requirements for different types of stains. Oil stains may be removed by use of the cycloaliphatic solvent alone, whereas the removal of ink or paint stains is improved when an effective amount of at least one ali- phatic diluent is included m the composition.

Further the composition according to the invention may comprise one or more substances selected among methylene- chloride, methanol, tetrahydrofurane, toluene, tπchloro- fluoromethane, tπchlorethylene, freon 113, Exxol® naphta, Nappar® cycloparaffms, and aliphatic distillates. Other substances which do not result m discolouration or damage to the textile to be cleaned may also be included herein. Various other solvent suppliers may pro- vide essentially the same types of compositions embodied by distillates listed above.

Solvents containing halogens are no longer considered appropriate as components m various products. Therefore, m a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises less than 5 % (v/v) halogen containing solvent, preferably less than 2 % (v/v) , and most preferably the composition is essentially free of halogen containing solvents. In order to make sure that the composition evaporates sufficiently fast, it is important that the composition comprises less than 5 % (v/v) water, preferably less than 2 % (v/v) , and most preferably the composition is essen- tially free of water.

For similar reasons is it preferred that the composition according to the invention comprises less than 5 % (v/v) surfactants, preferably less than 2 % (v/v) , and most preferably the composition is essentially free of surfactants .

The stain remover composition according to the invention is preferably free of detergent. The composition may preferably also be free or essentially be free of surfactants and be free of CFC and HCFC.

Use of a composition according to the invention may comprise removing all kinds of stains, preferably ink or paint stains, from textiles.

Use of a composition according to the invention, wherein the composition is sprayed directly on the stains and is sucked away.

Because of the fast evaporation rate of the components of the composition according to the invention, the composition is able to remove all kinds of stains leaving less discolouration behind than prior art compositions. In most situations no discolouration is found on the fabric after use of the stain remover composition according to the invention. This may be due to the fact that rapid evaporation provides a quick cooling of the fabric, which cooling will locally increase viscosities and surface tensions, thereby preventing the stain from spreading. The invention further relates to a method for removing stains from textiles comprising the steps of:

a) applying a composition to a textile,

b) incorporating the composition into the textile within 10 seconds, preferably within 5 seconds, more preferably simultaneously with or immediately after application,

c) removing the composition from the fabric,

wherein said composition is according to any of the claims 1-15.

In order to obtain a satisfactory removal of the stain, it is important that the permeation of the composition into the fabric happens very fast m order to dissolve or loosen the stain before the composition is removed from the fabric. Therefore the application of the composition is followed by an incorporation of the composition e.g. by use of compressed air, vacuum, or the like, forcing the composition rapidly into and/or out of the fabric.

The composition may be applied by a trigger spray, by a spray can, or simply by a brush. Alternatively, the com^¬ position may be applied by use of a high-speed gas flow, e.g. sprayed upon the fabric by a hand spray gun. In this case the application and the incorporation of the compo^¬ sition are combined and take place simultaneously.

The removal of the composition should be carried out within a few minutes, e.g. within 5 minutes, or discol^¬ ouration may occur. Preferably the composition is removed immediately or at least within 2 minutes after applica- tion. By "removing the composition" it may also be understood, that the composition may be allowed to evaporate, provided said evaporation takes place within the time limits defined above.

Preferably the composition is removed by use of a highspeed gas flow, provided e.g. by compressed air or by vacuum suction.

To facilitate the removal of the composition, the textile may be adapted on a grate or a frame placed over e.g. a vacuum suction device. This way tne composition is drawn all the way through the fabric at high speed.

Alternatively, the composition may be applied to the back of the fabric, before placing it on the grate or the frame adapted to a vacuum device. Further, it is possible to apply the composition on one side, and then use compressed air from the other side. This may be an advantage m cases where the stain is superficial.

The invention will be described m details m the following examples.

Example 1

A composition consisting of 10 ^r- (v/v) cyclopentane, 60 % (v/v) ethyl acetate and 30 ^& (v/v) sopropyl alcohol was prepared, hereafter named as composition 11068.

This composition was tested using the following method: A piece of white 100 % cotton was placed on a serigraphic frame and a paper with small holes (2 x 2 mm) was laid on top. The inks "Black Wilflex" (plastisol) and "Orange Airline" (waterbased) were then applied. Further, hydro- carbon-based lubricating oil was also applied on the garment .

The composition was applied by use of a trigger spray on the stained textile along with other compounds known to have a cleaning effect.

Afterwards the effects of the various cleaning fluids were visually evaluated. Rating: 1-10, 10 being the best. The results are shown m table 1.

Drying time was determined by applying two drops of the composition or the known cleaning compound to the fabric and measuring the time until the stain no longer could be seen.

Table 1.

The results clearly show that the composition according to the invention leaves little or almost no discolouration on the fabric after use. Compared to acetone and CFC 113 the overall impression is that the invention provides an improved composition for cleaning fabrics even when the composition is applied by use of a simple trigger spray.

Example 2:

The same composition (11068) as described above is tested on similar stains. However, an electric spray gun is used to apply the composition.

In order to demonstrate the excellent effect of the composition each of the compounds comprised herein is also tested. Standard cleaning compounds were tested as well for comparison. Rating as m example 1.

The results are shown m table 2.

Table 2.

Once again the composition according to the invention exhibits excellent cleaning effect and little or no discolouration of the fabric. It is also evident that the composition 11068 is significantly better than each of the ingredients therein alone. Example 3:

A composition consisting of 10 % (v/v) cyclopentane, 50 % (v/v) ethyl acetate, 30 % (v/v) IPA, and 10 % (v/v) me- thylenecloride was prepared (named comp. 2) . Cleaning effect, drying time and discolouration was tested m relation to stains from plastisols as described above. Same rating as above.

The results are shown m table 3 as well as results for the composition 11068.

Table 3.

Example 4

A textile was stained with lubricating oil and the below mentioned compositions were applied by use of an electric spray gun. The composition 24089 is consisting of 10 % (v/v) cyclohexane, 60 ^c ₀ (v/v) ethyl acetate and 30 % (v/v) isopropyl alcohol. For comparison methylene chlo^¬ ride, acetone, PMA, and Freon 113 were tested as well.

Drying time was determined by applying two drops of the composition or the known cleaning compound to the fabric and measuring the time until the stain no longer could be seen. At the same conditions, the drying time for n-butyl acetate was measured, and was determined to be 5 minutes 15 seconds. The results are shown in table 4

Table 4.

Discolouration has not been evaluated in connection with the last three compounds as the cleaning effect is generally unsatisfying.

These results clearly show that compositions according to the invention comprising large amounts of cyclo aliphatic compounds are particularly suited for removing oil stains .

Pure BuAc also exhibits good cleaning effects as well as no discolouration, however, the drying time is significantly larger and therefore less attractive.

Claims

1. Stain remover composition for removing stains from textiles comprising an effective amount of a cy- cloaliphatic solvent having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, preferably greater than 600, more preferably greater than 900 and most preferably greater than 1500, and optionally one or more aliphatic diluents having a relative evaporation rate greater than 100, prefer- ably greater than 200, more preferably greater than 400, said composition being totally evaporable at standard condition at 1 atm., 20 °C and 50% moisture degree, and said composition having a total relative evaporation rate of at least 100, preferably of at least 200, and more preferably of at least 500.

2. Composition according to claim 1, where the cycloaliphatic solvent is selected among cyclopentane and cyclohexane and derivatives thereof.

3. Composition according to claim 2, where the cyclopentane is a substituted cyclopentane having a total of up to 9 carbon atoms .

4. Composition according to claim 2, where the cyclohexane is a substituted cyclohexane having a total of up to 10 carbon atoms.

5. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition comprises an aliphatic diluent, which is an aliphatic alcohol selected among ethanol, n- propanol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, iso-butyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

6. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition comprises an aliphatic diluent se- lected among methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetone, ace- tonitπle, diethylketone, dimethylcarbonate, ethyl ether, ethyl formate, heptane, n-hexane, methyl t-butyl ether, methyl n-butyrate, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methyl iso-propyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n- propyl ketone, iso-pentane, n-pentane, iso-propyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, iso-propyl ether, 2,2,4-tπme- thylpentane, and mixtures thereof.

7. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the amount of cycloaliphatic solvent is in the range of 1-100 o (v/v) , preferably m the range of 5-85 % (v/v) , more preferably m the range of 8-70 % (v/v) , and most preferably m the range of 10-50 % (v/v) .

8. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the amount of aliphatic diluent is m the range of 0-99 I (v/v) , preferably in the range of 5-95 % (v/v) , more preferably m the range of 20-92 % (v/v) and most preferably m the range of 50-90 %.

9. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition comprises both an aliphatic alcohol and an aliphatic acetate.

10. Composition according to claims 1-9, where the aliphatic diluent comprises a mixture of ethanol and ethyl acetate .

11. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition further comprises one or more sub^¬ stances selected among methylene chloride, methanol, tet- rahydrofurane, toluene, tπchlorofluoromethane, tπchlor- ethylene, freon 113, Exxol® naphta, Nappar® cycloparaf- fins, and aliphatic distillates.

12. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition is essentially free of halogen containing solvents.

13. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition is essentially free of water.

14. Composition according to any of the previous claims, where the composition is essentially free of surfactants.

15. Use of a composition according to any of the previous claims for removing stains, preferably ink or paint stains, from textiles.

16. Use of a composition according to claim 15, wherein the composition is sprayed directly on the stains and is sucked away.

17. Method for removing stains from textiles comprising the steps of:

a) applying a composition to a textile,

b) incorporating the composition into the textile prefer^¬ ably simultaneously with or immediately after application,

c) removing the composition from the fabric,

wherein said composition is according to any of the claims 1-16.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said composi- tion is applied by use of high-speed gas flow.

19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said composition is removed by use of vacuum suction.

20. Method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said com- position is removed by use of compressed air.

21. Method according to claims 17-20, wherein said textile is adapted to a grate or a frame.