U.S. patent application number 09/834062 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-22 for fabric treatment article and composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.. Invention is credited to Keppie, Ian, Warr, Jonathan.
Application Number | 20010044399 09/834062 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9890002 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010044399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keppie, Ian ; et
al. |
November 22, 2001 |
Fabric treatment article and composition
Abstract
The invention provides an article for fabric treatment
comprising a substrate releasably impregnated with a fluid
treatment composition adapted for fabric cleaning and freshening by
contact of the fluid composition with the fabric to be treated
during a tumble drying process, the fluid treatment composition
comprising: a glycol ether solvent; water; a non-ionic surfactant;
and a perfume characterised in that the glycol ether solvent is
present in the composition in an amount which is miscible with the
water present in the composition.
Inventors: |
Keppie, Ian; (Port Sunlight,
GB) ; Warr, Jonathan; (Kingston-upon-Thames,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNILEVER
PATENT DEPARTMENT
45 RIVER ROAD
EDGEWATER
NJ
07020
US
|
Assignee: |
Unilever Home & Personal Care
USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
9890002 |
Appl. No.: |
09/834062 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
510/327 ;
510/519; 510/520 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 17/047 20130101;
C11D 3/2068 20130101; C11D 3/50 20130101; C11D 1/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
510/327 ;
510/519; 510/520 |
International
Class: |
D06M 010/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2000 |
GB |
0009344.3 |
Claims
1. An article for fabric treatment comprising a substrate
releasably impregnated with a fluid treatment composition adapted
for fabric cleaning and freshening by contact of the fluid
composition with the fabric to be treated during a tumble drying
process, the fluid treatment composition comprising: a glycol ether
solvent; water; a non-ionic surfactant; and a perfume wherein the
glycol ether solvent is present in the composition in an amount
which is miscible with the water present in the composition and the
total surfactant content is not more than 2% by weight of the fluid
treatment composition.
2. An article according to claim 1 wherein the glycol ether solvent
is present in the composition in an amount of from 1.5 to 3.5% by
weight of the composition.
3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the glycol ether
solvent is selected from dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether and
tripropylene glycol mono methyl ether.
4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the glycol ether
solvent is dipropyline glycol n-butyl ether.
5. An article according claim 3, wherein the non-ionic surfactant
is the only surfactant and is a C.sub.12-C.sub.15 primary alcohol
ethoxylate and present in an amount of from 1.1 to 2% by weight of
the composition.
6. An article according to claim 1, wherein the fluid composition
comprises a mixture of non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactant
wherein the amount of anionic surfactant is less than the amount of
non-ionic surfactant and the amount of amphoteric surfactant is not
more than the amount of non-ionic surfactant.
7. An article according to claim 1, wherein the perfume is present
in an amount of from 0.5 to 0.75% by weight of the composition.
8. An article according to claim 1, wherein the fluid treatment
composition is free from polymeric emulsification aids and gelling
agents.
9. An article according to claim 1, wherein the fluid treatment
composition comprises at least 94% by weight water.
10. An article according to claim 1, wherein the fluid treatment
composition further comprises one or more preservatives.
11. An article according to claim 1 wherein the fluid treatment
composition comprises: 1.5 to 3.5% by weight dipropyolene glycol
n-butyl ether 1.1 to 2.0% by weight C.sub.12-C.sub.15 primary
alcohol ethoxylate 0.5 to 0.07% by weight perfume an effective
amount of preservative balance being water, said composition being
free of polymeric emulsification aids and gelling agents.
12. An article according to claim 11 wherein the fluid treatment
composition is present in an amount of from 20 to 40 g.
13. A process for treating a fabric comprising the steps of:
14. providing contacting the fabric with an article comprising a
substrate releasably impregnated with a fluid treatment composition
adapted for fabric cleaning and freshening by contact of the fluid
composition with the fabric to be treated during a tumble drying
process, the fluid treatment composition comprising: a glycol ether
solvent; water; a non-ionic surfactant; and a perfume wherein the
glycol ether solvent is present in the composition in an amount
which is miscible with the water present in the composition and the
total surfactant content is not more than 2% by weight of the fluid
treatment composition and contacting the fabric with said article
in a tumble drier and conducting a tumble drying process.
15. A process according to claim 13 wherein said fluid treating
composition of said article comprises: 1.5 to 3.5% by weight
dipropyolene glycol n-butyl ether, 1.1 to 2.0% by weight
C.sub.12-C.sub.15 primary alcohol ethoxylate, 0.5 to 0.07% by
weight perfume, an effective amount of preservative, balance being
water, said composition being free of polymeric emulsification aids
and gelling agents.
16. A process according to claim 13 wherein the fabric to be
treated and the fabric treatment article are placed directly in the
tumble dryer without any other form of containment.
17. A process according to claim 13 comprising the preliminary step
of treating a stain on the fabric by direct application, with a
wiping, rubbing or pressing action, of the article to the
fabric.
18. Use of an article according claim 1 in a domestic dry cleaning
process, using a tumble drier.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric treatment article
and composition, more particularly to a tumble dryer sheet carrying
a composition for treating fabrics in a tumble dryer and for
pre-treating such fabrics to remove stains.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Tumble dryer sheets adapted for domestic dry cleaning
purposes are a relatively recent addition to the range of fabric
treatment products currently known. There are currently at least
two commercial embodiments of such materials, namely the Dryel.TM.
product of The Procter & Gamble Company and the Custom
Cleaner.TM. product of Creative Products Resource, Inc. Both
commercial products comprise hydroentangled sheets impregnated with
a fabric treatment composition. The Dryel.TM. product is sold with
a separate pre-treater for stain removal and the Custom Cleaner.TM.
product is sold as a combined stain removal and fabric treatment
product. Both commercial products instruct the consumer to use the
fabric treatment sheet inside a bag, into which the fabrics to be
treated are placed before sealing the bag and placing it in the
tumble dryer.
[0003] WO-A-99/10586 (The Procter & Gamble Company) relates to
a bagless dry cleaning kit having one or more carrier sheets and
from 200 grams to 1,000 grams of a liquid cleaning/refreshment
composition. The "cleaning/refreshment composition" is primarily
water and perfume with an emulsifier and optional solvents such as
ethanol and isopropanol. The kit includes a separate pre-treating
composition which is delivered to the fabric by means of an
absorbent stain removal article impregnated with the pre-treating
composition. WO-A-97/07278 (The Procter & Gamble Company)
relates to a dry cleaning process using a bag. WO-A-97/29178 (The
Procter & Gamble Company) relates to a dry cleaning sheet which
is oleophilic and can acquire a strong electrostatically positive
charge when passed across the surface being cleaned. WO-A-97/32004
(The Procter & Gamble Company) relates to a dry cleaning sheet
which has a permeable coversheet which it is said provides a more
uniform distribution within the tumble dryer of the cleaning
composition on the dry cleaning sheet. WO-A-97/45516 (The Procter
& Gamble Company) discloses a phase stable liquid refreshment
and cleaning composition comprising butoxy propoxy propanol, water,
optional nonionic and a phase stabilising amount of an alkyl
sulphate and/or alkyl ethoxy sulphate surfactant. WO-A-96/30471
(The Procter & Gamble Company) discloses a cleaning composition
comprising at least 4% butoxy propoxy propanol and other
ingredients, including an emulsifier. WO-A-93/23603 (Creative
Products Resource, Inc.) discloses a fabric cleaning kit comprising
a bag and a cleaning sheet impregnated with a composition
comprising a gelling agent, surfactant and a solvent.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved form of fabric treatment article.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides an article for
fabric treatment comprising a substrate releasably impregnated with
a fluid treatment composition adapted for fabric cleaning and
freshening by contact of the fluid composition with the fabric to
be treated during a tumble drying process, the fluid treatment
composition comprising:
[0006] a glycol ether solvent;
[0007] water;
[0008] a non-ionic surfactant; and
[0009] a perfume characterised in that the glycol ether solvent is
present in the composition in an amount which is miscible with the
water present in the composition and the total surfactant content
is not more than 2% by weight of the fluid treatment
composition.
[0010] The provision of a fabric treatment article impregnated with
a fluid composition comprising no more glycol ether solvent than is
miscible with the water present in the composition removes the need
to include any polymeric emulsification aid in the composition.
This is desirable both to reduce the expense of the composition and
to avoid the deposition of residues on the treated fabric left by
the emulsifier. The fluid treatment composition of the invention is
free from polymeric emulsification aids.
[0011] The fluid treatment composition used in the invention is
non-gelled having a viscosity comparable to water. The composition
is free from gelling agent. The composition may be readily applied
to an absorbent carrier sheet and may be released from the carrier
sheet to treat a stain on a fabric by wiping, rubbing or pressing
the impregnated carrier sheet against the fabric. Surprisingly, it
is found that the amount of glycol ether in the fabric treatment
articles according to the invention provides an effective cleaning
performance even at the relatively low levels of glycol ether
needed to maintain water miscibility. The cost of the composition
is further reduced by maintaining the amount of glycol ether
solvent therein at a relatively low level and the avoidance of
phase separation in the composition by maintaining water
miscibility further reduces the risk of staining during the
treatment process.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Preferably, the glycol ether solvent is present in the
composition in an amount of from about 1.0% to about 4.5%, more
preferably from 1.5 to 3.5%, and most preferably from 2.0 to 3.0%
by weight of the composition. A particularly preferred fabric
treatment article according to the invention is impregnated with a
fluid composition which comprises about 2.5% glycol ether
solvent.
[0013] The glycol ether solvent for use in the fabric treatment
articles of the invention preferably has a volatility of less than
that of butyl acetate. Glycol ether solvents are lower-(alkoxy)- or
lower(alkoxy)lower(alkoxy)-ethers of ethanol or isopropanol. The
lower alkoxy groups generally contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
Preferred solvents include dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether,
dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether
and dipropylene glycol methyl ethanoate, tripropylene glycol methyl
ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether or mixtures of one or more
thereof. Preferably the glycol ether solvent has a flash point of
above 90.degree. C. Preferably the glycol ether has a lower
odour.
[0014] The fabric treatment article according to the invention
additionally includes a perfume and a non-ionic surfactant as
essential components and it is preferred that the non-ionic
surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to solubilised the
perfume in the composition.
[0015] The perfume is preferably present in an amount of from about
0.1% to 1%, more preferably from about 0.25% to 0.75% and most
preferably from about 0.5% to about 0.75% by weight of the
composition.
[0016] Preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is present in the fluid
composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 2%, more
preferably from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight, most preferably
from about 1.1% to about 2% by weight of the composition. Non-ionic
surfactants that may be used include the primary and secondary
alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C.sub.8-20 aliphatic alcohols
ethoxylated with an average-of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide
per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C.sub.10-15 primary
and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of
from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. A
preferred non-ionic surfactants are commercially available from
Shell Chemicals under the trade name NEODOL 25-9 and NEODOL 25-7
which are C.sub.12-C.sub.15 primary alcohol ethoxylates having 9
and 7 moles of ethylene oxide respectively. Non-ethoxylated
non-ionic surfactants suitable for use in the invention include
alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers and polyhydroxyamides
(glucamide).
[0017] The composition may comprise other surfactants provided the
total surfactant content does not exceed 2% by weight. Preferably
the total surfactant content is not more than 1.5% by weight.
Higher surfactant contents may lead to staining during the
treatment process.
[0018] The fluid composition may further comprise an anionic
surfactant. In this case, the amount of anionic surfactant present
in the fluid composition is less than the amount of non-ionic
surfactant present therein. Anionic surfactants are well known to
those skilled in the art. Examples suitable for use in a fabric
treatment article according to the invention include alkylbenzene
sulphonates, particularly C.sub.8-15 linear alkylbenzene
sulphonates, alkyl ether sulphates and alkyl ether carboxylates. A
preferred anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulphate
ethoxylated with 2 ethylene oxide molecules.
[0019] The composition may further comprise an amphoteric
surfactant. The amphoteric surfactant may be present in an amount
not more than the amount of non-ionic surfactant present therein.
Amphoteric surfactants are well known to those skilled in the art
and include sultaines, belaines, alkyl amine oxides, zwitterions,
amphopropionates and carboxylates. Preferred amphoteric surfactants
are alkyl amine oxides of the formula:
R R.sup.1 R.sup.2 N.sup.+ 0
[0020] in which:
[0021] R is selected from the group alkyl, alkylarylalkyl,
arylalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, and the sulfonated derivatives thereof,
alkylamidoalkyl, or alkoxyalkyl wherein the total carbon atom
content of the R group is no more than about 22 carbon atoms,
and
[0022] R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of from 1
to about 6 carbon atoms and the hydroxy-substituted derivatives
thereof.
[0023] Preferably R is alkyl of 10 to 20 carbon atoms and R.sup.1
and R.sup.2 are methyl.
[0024] Exemplary formulations for use in the invention comprise a
balance of non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants. The
anionic surfactant is present in an amount less than the non-ionic
surfactant e.g. up to 50% by weight of the non-ionic surfactant.
The amphoteric surfactant may be present in an amount no more than
the non-ionic surfactant. A suitable weight ratio is about 40:20:40
non-ionic anionic:amphoteric surfactants. It has been found that
such a surfactant mixture allows phase stable formulations to be
produced with low surfactant content, below 2%, by weight
surfactant mixture. Such formulations offer minimum levels of water
marking and good perfume delivery.
[0025] The fluid composition may further comprise fatty acids, for
example C.sub.8-24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids.
[0026] Preferably saturated fatty acids are used, in particular
hardened tallow C.sub.16-18 fatty acids. Examples of preferred
fatty acids include oleic acid, lauric acid or tallow fatty acid.
Other optional ingredients include builders, preservatives and
sequestrants.
[0027] Water is the predominant component of the formulation and
generally comprises at least 90% by weight, preferably at least 94%
by weight of the formulation.
[0028] The substrate may comprise any materials which will absorb
the fluid treatment composition and withstand the tumble drying
process without disintegrating. Suitable materials include woven
and non-woven fabrics. A preferred substrate is a 50/50
rayon/polyester hydroentangled material commercially available from
PGI.
[0029] The substrate is generally impregnated with from 20 to 40 g,
preferably 25 to 35 g of the fluid composition which is sufficient
to treat up to four garments in a tumble drying cycle.
[0030] The invention further provides a process for treating a
fabric comprising the step of contacting the fabric with a fabric
treatment article according to the invention in a tumble dryer and
conducting a tumble drying process. Preferably, the fabric to be
treated and the fabric treatment article are placed directly in the
tumble dryer without any other form of containment. The invention
provides a further process according to the above comprising the
preliminary step of treating a stain on the fabric by direct
application, with a wiping, rubbing or pressing action, of the
article to the fabric.
[0031] In another of its aspects, the invention provides a fluid
composition for use in the manufacture of an article according to
the invention. Also according to the invention is the use of an
article according to the invention in a domestic dry cleaning
process.
[0032] The invention will now be more particularly described with
reference to the following Examples.
EXAMPLES
[0033] In the Examples the following components were used:
[0034] Perfume
[0035] Galaxy 80 commercially available from IFF.
[0036] Preservatives
1 A mixture of the following components: Component Parts by weight
1,2 benzisothiazolin-3-one 160 sodium hypochlorite 2
3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate 200
[0037] Fluid compositions for impregnation onto the carrier
substrate were prepared by the following generic method:
[0038] About 5-10% of the total water was added to a vessel and
heated to about 40.degree. C.
[0039] The non-ionic surfactant and the glycol ether solvent were
added to the heated water and mixed for 10 to 15 minutes.
[0040] The mixture was allowed to cool to below 30.degree. C. and
the perfume was added with mixing for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Alternatively or also a milling step could be employed here.
[0041] The remaining water, in combination with the preservative,
was added and mixed for about 10 to 15 minutes.
[0042] The resulting fluid composition was then dosed onto an
absorbent carrier sheet comprising a 50/50 rayon/polyester
hydroentangled material available commercially from PGI.
[0043] An alternative formulation procedure is as follows:
[0044] About 40-50% of the total water was added to a vessel
together with the preservative and heated to around 40-60.degree.
C.
[0045] The non-ionic surfactant and the glycol ether solvent were
added and mixed.
[0046] The remaining water at ambient temperature was added and
mixed.
[0047] After confirming that the temperature of the mixture had
fallen below 30.degree. C., the perfume was added and mixed.
[0048] The resulting fluid composition was then dosed onto an
absorbent carrier sheet comprising a 50/50 rayon/polyester
hydroentangled material available commercially from PGI.
[0049] Three example fluid compositions were prepared using the
first of the above methods:
2 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Neodol 25-9 2.0% 1.5% 1.1% DPnB
2.5% 2.5% 2.5% Perfume 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% Preservative 0.04% 0.04%
0.04% Water To 100% To 100% To 100%
[0050] DPnB dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether.
[0051] These compositions, pre-dosed onto non-woven sheets, were
tested for cleaning performance on a range of:
[0052] Stain types (eg make-up, tomato juice, coffee, redwine,
lipstick)
[0053] Fabrics (eg cotton, Tencel.TM., wool, polyesters,
"polycotton" blend)
[0054] Fabric colours (eg red, green, navy, cream, pink, purple,
brown).
[0055] The fabric treatment procedure was as follows:
[0056] Pre-treatment Method:
[0057] A folded paper, cotton or other absorbent towel was placed
on a hard surface underneath the stained area of fabric.
[0058] The stain was contacted firmly with the impregnated carrier
substrate and a gentle rubbing was employed until the stained area
was visibly wet and the stain was transferred onto the paper
towel.
[0059] The treated area was dampened with water to flush out any
remaining stain and the treated area was then dried using a hair
dryer or an iron.
[0060] Tumble Drying Method:
[0061] Up to four fabrics were placed in a domestic tumble
dryer.
[0062] A single carrier substrate dosed with (xg) of the fluid
composition was placed in the dryer on top of the fabrics.
[0063] A tumble drying process was conducted at low temperature for
about 30 minutes.
[0064] Each of Examples 1, 2 and 3 were found to give good cleaning
and freshening performance.
Example 4
[0065] The following formulation was prepared:
3 Component weight % Neodol 25-9 1.5 DPnB 3.33 Perfume 0.75
Preservative(s) 0.04 Water to 100
[0066] The formulation had a higher perfume content than Examples 1
to 3 and required a higher solvent level. The formulation gave good
cleaning and freshening performance.
Examples 5 to 7
[0067] These Examples demonstrate a mixed surfactant system with
different glycol ether solvents. The following formulations were
prepared:
4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 Component % by weight % by weight %
by weight DPnB 3.33 -- -- BDGE -- 3.33 -- TPM -- -- 3.33 Surfactant
1.4 1.4 1.4 Perfume 0.67 0.67 0.67 Preservative 0.04 0.04 0.04
Water to 100 to 100 to 100
[0068] The surfactant comprised an anionic surfactant primary alkyl
sulphate (PAS) Hostapur SAS 30; a non-ionic surfactant Neodol 25-7
and an amphoteric surfactant amine oxide, Aromox C/12W. The
surfactants were in the weight ratio
[0069] PAS:Neodol 25-7 : Aromox C/12W of 20:40:40.
[0070] BDGE:butyldiglycol ether
[0071] TPM:tripopylene glycol mono-methyl ether
[0072] The formulations were prepared by making a premix of the
solvent, Neodol 25-7 and perfume under stirring. A main batch of
PAS, amine oxide, preservative and water was prepared and the
premix added under stirring. Stirring was continued until a closer
solution was produced.
Examples 8 to 10
[0073] The following formulations were prepared:
5 Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Component % by weight % by weight
% by weight TPM 3.33 3.33 3.33 Neodol 25-9 1.0 0.9 0.85 Perfume
0.67 0.67 0.67 Preservative 0.04 0.04 0.04 Water to 100 to 100 to
100
[0074] The samples were stored at 0, 20 and 37.degree. C. and
observed. Examples 8 and 9 were more stable than Example 10 with no
separation of components after eight weeks.
Examples 11 to 14
[0075] The following formulations were prepared:
6 Example 11 Example 12 Example 13 Example 14 Component % by weight
% by weight % by weight % by weight TPM 3.0 2.5 2 1.5 Neodol 25-9
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Perfume 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 Preservative 0.04 0.04
0.04 0.04 Water to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100
[0076] No separation was observed after storing for eight weeks as
in Examples 8 to 10.
* * * * *