U.S. patent application number 10/876062 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for method of marketing fabric treating materials for use in conjunction with a home dry cleaning system.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Gardner, Robb Richard, Hartshorn, Richard Timothy, Scheper, William Michael, Thoen, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel.
Application Number | 20040226106 10/876062 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33425523 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardner, Robb Richard ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
Method of marketing fabric treating materials for use in
conjunction with a home dry cleaning system
Abstract
The present invention relates to method of marketing fabric care
material for use in a home dry cleaning system. The fabric care
material may be in the form of a kit for a desired consumer
benefit, a desired theme or for convenience. The present invention
also relates to a method of marketing dry cleaning compositions for
use in a home dry cleaning system. The dry cleaning compositions
include a general detergent composition, an additive composition, a
pretreating composition, or mixtures thereof. The compositions may
be provided to the consumers with a set of instructions so that the
consumers can obtain information relating various compositions and
their combinations to the desired fabric treating benefit.
Inventors: |
Gardner, Robb Richard;
(Cincinnati, OH) ; Scheper, William Michael;
(Guilford, IN) ; Hartshorn, Richard Timothy;
(Lawrenceburg, IN) ; Thoen, Christiaan Arthur Jacques
Kamiel; (West Chester, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
33425523 |
Appl. No.: |
10/876062 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10876062 |
Jun 24, 2004 |
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10738551 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
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10738551 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
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09849893 |
May 4, 2001 |
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6691536 |
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60483369 |
Jun 27, 2003 |
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60209468 |
Jun 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
8/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D 3/3765 20130101;
C11D 3/3945 20130101; C11D 3/3932 20130101; C11D 7/5022 20130101;
C11D 3/3947 20130101; C11D 3/40 20130101; C11D 3/50 20130101; D06F
58/203 20130101; C11D 3/3942 20130101; D06M 23/06 20130101; D06L
1/10 20130101; C11D 3/2041 20130101; D06M 13/005 20130101; C11D
3/3773 20130101; C11D 3/395 20130101; C11D 7/24 20130101; D06L 1/12
20130101; C11D 7/3209 20130101; B01D 17/04 20130101; C11D 7/5009
20130101; C10G 33/02 20130101; C11D 3/30 20130101; D06L 1/04
20130101; B01J 20/26 20130101; C11D 17/049 20130101; D06L 4/17
20170101; C11D 7/5013 20130101; C11D 7/263 20130101; C11D 7/5004
20130101; D06L 1/02 20130101; C11D 3/162 20130101; F26B 21/14
20130101; B01D 17/0202 20130101; C11D 7/5027 20130101; C11D 3/43
20130101; C11D 11/0076 20130101; C11D 11/0017 20130101; C11D 3/3905
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
008/142 |
International
Class: |
D06F 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of marketing fabric care material for use in
conjunction with a home dry cleaning system comprising the steps
of: a) identifying desired consumer benefits for fabric care; b)
selecting at least one fabric care material to respond to
identified consumer benefits for fabric care; c) optionally,
distributing the at least one fabric care material to a vendor.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the
step of combining two or more of the selected fabric care materials
for identified consumer benefits to form a kit and then
distributing the kit to vendor.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected fabric care materials
selected from the group consisting of: a) fabric care materials; b)
home dry cleaning system replacement materials; and c) mixtures
thereof.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the fabric care materials are
selected from the group consisting of: solvent, surfactant, fabric
care adjuncts, and mixtures thereof.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the fabric care materials comprise
a solvent that is a lipophilic fluid.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the fabric care materials comprise
a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: (1)
siloxane-based surfactants; (2) organosulfosuccinate surfactants;
(3) alkanolamines/alkanolamides; (4) phosphate/phosphonate esters;
(5) gemini surfactants; (6) capped nonionic surfactants; (7) capped
silicone surfactants; (8) alkyl alkoxylates; (9) polyol
surfactants; and (10)mixtures thereof.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein the fabric care materials comprise
a fabric care adjunct selected from the group consisting of
builders, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach
boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents,
colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap
dispersants, odor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye
transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors,
photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing
agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition
agents, soil release polymers, electrolytes, pH modifiers,
thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts,
enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines
and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents,
process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners,
hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters and
mixtures thereof.
8. The method of claim 4 wherein the home dry cleaning system
replacement materials are selected from filters, screens, storage
tanks, and mixtures thereof.
9. A method for providing customized fabric care composition for
use in a home non-aqueous laundering system comprising the steps
of: (a) identifying a desired fabric treating benefit; (b)
providing an article of manufacture comprising: at least one
composition comprising an effective amount of a fabric treating
material for delivering the desired benefit, a container for
containing said composition, and a set of instructions associated
with the container; (c) optionally, distributing the article of
manufacture to a vendor; wherein said composition is selected from
the group consisting of a general detergent composition, an
additive composition, a pretreating composition, and mixtures
thereof.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the set of instructions directs a
user to use one or more elements to deliver the desired benefits to
fabric articles being treated in a non-aqueous laundering process,
the elements comprise: (1) a general detergent composition; (2) an
additive composition for delivering a desired benefit; (3) a
general detergent composition mixed with an effective amount of one
or more additive compositions to enhance the desired benefits; (4)
a combination of a pretreating composition, being applied to fabric
articles prior to the non-aqueous laundering process, and a
composition selected from (1), (2) or (3) above, being applied to
fabric articles in the non-aqueous laundering process.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the set of instructions
comprises: instructions to selected one or more elements based on
the desired benefits; instructions directing the user to dial a
specific telephone number wherein the instructions to selected one
or more elements based on the desired benefits are presented by
verbal communication; instructions directing the user to a specific
computer website wherein the instructions to selected one or more
elements based on the desired benefits are displayed by electronic
communication; or combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the set of instructions is
pictorial, textual, alphanumerical, or combinations thereof.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the set of instructions is
provided in a manner selected from the group consisting of a
printed label attached to the container, a printed matter on the
container, a brochure, a printed advertisement, an electronic or
internet advertisement, and combinations thereof.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein the selected fabric treating
materials selected from the group consisting of: a) fabric care
materials; b) home dry cleaning system replacement materials; and
c) mixtures thereof.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fabric care materials are
selected from the group consisting of: solvent, surfactant, fabric
care adjuncts, and mixtures thereof.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the fabric care materials
comprise a solvent that is a lipophilic fluid.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the fabric care materials
comprise a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: (1)
siloxane-based surfactants; (2) organosulfosuccinate surfactants;
(3) alkanolamines/alkanolamides; (4) phosphate/phosphonate esters;
(5) gemini surfactants; (6) capped nonionic surfactants; (7) capped
silicone surfactants; (8) alkyl alkoxylates; (9) polyol
surfactants; and (10) mixtures thereof.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the fabric care materials
comprise a fabric care adjunct selected from the group consisting
of builders, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, bleach
boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents,
colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing aids, lime soap
dispersants, odor control agents, odor neutralizers, polymeric dye
transfer inhibiting agents, crystal growth inhibitors,
photobleaches, heavy metal ion sequestrants, anti-tarnishing
agents, anti-microbial agents, anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition
agents, soil release polymers, electrolytes, pH modifiers,
thickeners, abrasives, divalent or trivalent ions, metal ion salts,
enzyme stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, diamines or polyamines
and/or their alkoxylates, suds stabilizing polymers, solvents,
process aids, fabric softening agents, optical brighteners,
hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or foam boosters and
mixtures thereof.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the home dry cleaning system
replacement materials are selected from filters, screens, storage
tanks, and mixtures thereof.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/483,369, filed on Jun. 27, 2003; and is a
continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No.
10/738,551, filed on Dec. 17, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/849,893, filed on May 4, 2001, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,691,536; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/209,468 filed on Jun. 5, 2000.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to method of marketing fabric
care material for use in a home dry cleaning system. The fabric
care material may be in the form of a kit for a desired consumer
benefit, a desired theme or for convenience. The present invention
also relates to a method of marketing dry cleaning compositions for
use in a home dry cleaning system. The dry cleaning compositions
include a general detergent composition, an additive composition, a
pretreating composition, or mixtures thereof. The compositions may
be provided to the consumers with a set of instructions so that the
consumers can obtain information relating desired consumer benefit
to various compositions and their combinations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A non-aqueous solvent based washing system utilizing
lipophilic fluid, such as cyclic siloxanes (especially
cyclopentasiloxanes, sometimes termed "D5"), particularly for use
with washing machines for in-home use, has recently been developed.
Such a system is particularly desired for cleaning textile articles
without causing damage associated with wet-washing, like shrinkage
and dye transfer. The non-aqueous washing processes and chemistries
in this novel solvent system are quite different from those of the
conventional aqueous washing system. To maximize fabric treating
benefits, it is desirable to use additives targeted for cleaning,
softening, finishing, etc. in the non-aqueous system to enhance the
performance of the basic non-aqueous detergent. To cater to
individual preferences of the consumers, which is difficult to
achieve in mass market consumer products, multiple cleaning or
fabric care benefits desired by the consumers can be addressed
through different mixtures of additives.
[0004] Methods for marketing or providing consumer products to the
end users are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,514; U.S. Pat. No.
6,036,601; U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,407; and EP 1,205,865A1. None of
these references disclose a method for marketing a fabric treating
composition for use in a home dry cleaning system in the manner
described and claimed in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a method of marketing fabric
care material for use in conjunction with a home dry cleaning
system comprising the steps of: a) identifying desired consumer
benefits for fabric care; b) selecting at least one fabric care
material to respond to identified consumer benefits for fabric
treating; c) optionally, distributing the at least one fabric care
material to a vendor. In another aspect of the present invention,
the selected fabric care materials can be packaged in a kit for use
in a home dry cleaning system to provide desired consumer
benefits.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
providing customized fabric care composition for use in a home dry
cleaning system is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a)
identifying a desired fabric treating benefit; (b) providing an
article of manufacture comprising: at least one composition
comprising an effective amount of a fabric treating material for
delivering the desired benefit, a container for containing said
composition, and a set of instructions associated with the
container; (c) optionally, distributing the article of manufacture
to a vendor; wherein said composition is selected from the group
consisting of a general detergent composition, an additive
composition, a pretreating composition, and mixtures thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a home dry cleaning system for
use in the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of a home dry cleaning system
for use in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The term "fabric article" as used herein means any article
that is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in
a dry cleaning process. As such the term encompasses articles of
clothing, linen, drapery, and clothing accessories. The term also
encompasses other items made in whole or in part of fabric, such as
tote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins and the like.
[0010] The term "lipophilic fluid" as used herein means any
non-aqueous fluid capable of removing sebum, as described in more
detail herein below.
[0011] The term "fabric treating or treatment composition" or
"fabric care composition" as used herein means any lipophilic
fluid-containing composition that comes into direct contact with
fabric articles to be treated. It should be understood that the
term encompasses uses other than cleaning, such as refreshing,
softening, conditioning and sizing. Thus, "fabric treating" and
"fabric care" are used interchangeably herein. Optional cleaning
adjuncts (such as additional detersive surfactants, bleaches,
perfumes, and the like) and other fabric care agents may be added
to the composition.
[0012] The term "soil" as used herein means any undesirable
substance on a fabric article that is desired to be removed. By the
terms "water-based" or "hydrophilic" soils, it is meant that the
soil comprised water at the time it first came in contact with the
fabric article, that the soil has high water solubility or
affinity, or the soil retains a significant portion of water on the
fabric article. Examples of water-based soils include, but are not
limited to beverages, many food soils, water soluble dyes, bodily
fluids such as sweat, urine or blood, outdoor soils such as grass
stains and mud.
[0013] The term "capable of suspending water in a lipophilic fluid"
as used herein means that a material is able to suspend, solvate or
emulsify water, which is immiscible with the lipophilic fluid, in a
way that the water remains visibly suspended, solvated or
emulsified when left undisturbed for a period of at least five
minutes after initial mixing of the components
[0014] The term "insoluble in a lipophilic fluid" as used herein
means that when added to a lipophilic fluid, a material physically
separates from the lipophilic fluid (i.e. settle-out, flocculate,
float) within 5 minutes after addition, whereas a material that is
"soluble in a lipophilic fluid" does not physically separate from
the lipophilic fluid within 5 minutes after addition.
[0015] The term "processing aid" as used herein refers to any
material that renders a cleaning composition more suitable for
formulation, stability, and/or dilution with a lipophilic
fluid.
[0016] Home Dry Cleaning System
[0017] The home dry cleaning system comprises a chamber capable of
receiving a fabric article, fabric care materials that can be added
to the chamber, and a means to remove the fabric care materials
from the chamber. Suitable examples are discussed in WO 01/94675.
Other suitable examples are discussed in EP 1 103 646; WO 02/08510;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,161; U.S. Pat. No.
5,652,194; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,126.
[0018] One preferred embodiment of the home dry cleaning system 70
shown in FIG. 1, comprises a fabric-containing chamber 1 capable of
receiving a fabric article to be treated and a fabric care material
(not shown and discussed hereinbelow), wherein when a fabric
article to be treated is present in the fabric-containing chamber
1, and a fabric care material may be introduced into the
fabric-containing chamber 1. The home dry cleaning system 70,
preferably further comprises an outer chamber 2 capable of
receiving the fabric care material from the fabric-containing
chamber 1 that is not retained in said fabric-containing chamber 1.
The outer chamber 2 preferably houses the fabric-containing chamber
1. The fabric-containing chamber 1 and the outer chamber 2
preferably are of cylindrical construction and have a horizontal
access opening 58 and door 59, respectively, and, as shown in FIG.
2. The horizontal center line of the outer chamber 2, which is
preferably stationary with respect to the fabric-containing chamber
1 coincides with the axis of rotation 100 of the movable
fabric-containing chamber 1 movably mounted within the outer
chamber 2. The outer chamber 2 preferably comprises an exit port or
drain 7 through which the fabric care material received by the
outer chamber 2 exits the outer chamber 2. The fabric-containing
chamber 1 is preferably rotatably secured to outer chamber 2 by
means of drive shaft 49 (FIG. 2). The cross-sectional views of FIG.
2, the outer chamber 2 may have a door 59 having a circular shape
with an outer edge, the door 59 is capable of opening and closing
and may be used to load and unload fabric articles from the home
dry cleaning system 70. The fabric-containing chamber 1 may have an
access opening 58 used to load and unload fabric articles from the
home dry cleaning system 70; preferably which is concentrically
aligned with the outer edge of the door 59 in outer chamber 2. When
the home dry cleaning system 70 is in operation, the door 59 is in
the closed position, preferably locked by a locking means (not
shown) when the home dry cleaning system 70 is in operation.
[0019] At least one large storage tank 19 may contain the fabric
care material. In another embodiment the fabric care material may
also be present in one large storage tank 20. This can eliminate
the need for any mixing prior to delivery of the contents of the
large storage tank, 19 or 20, to the fabric-containing chamber 1
via an applicator 26, preferably a spray nozzle. Alternatively, the
fabric care material from the large storage tank 19, may be mixed
with other fabric care material which may be stored in small
storage tanks 27 and 28. These small storage tanks 27 and 28,
preferably contain one or more fabric care material which are
intended to be applied on to the fabric article present in the
fabric-containing chamber 1 of the home dry cleaning system 70.
[0020] For the convenience of a user, the large storage tanks 19
and 20, and the small storage tanks 27 and 28 may optionally be
detachable from the home dry cleaning system 70. The storage tanks,
19, 20, 27 and 28, may then be recycled, or can be refilled and
reattached to the apparatus. Various known "quick-connect" devices,
not shown in the Figures, are known in the art and may be employed
to assure quick or convenient release or connection of the storage
tanks, 19, 20, 27 and 28. In a preferred embodiment, each storage
tank, 19, 20, 27 and 28, comprises a physical configuration such
that it is attachable and detachable from the home dry cleaning
system 70 in a "lock and key" manner. In other words, a storage
tank, 19, 20, 27 and 28, fits selectively into an intended
"receiving port" or receptacle of the home dry cleaning system 70.
This "lock and key" system is preferred when a storage tank, 19,
20, 27 and 28, comprises a consumable, such as fabric care
material. Alternatively, the storage tank, 19, 20, 27 and 28, may
be replaceable or disposable, for example as a replaceable
cartridge. In one suitable mode of operation, the large storage
tanks 19 and 20 are recyclable, permanently fixed in the home dry
cleaning system 70, or removable only by a trained servicer, while
the small storage tanks, 27 and 28, are consumer-replaceable
cartridges which are sold individually or as part of a kit
discussed hereinbelow
[0021] In one mode, once the contents of the storage tanks, 19, 20,
27 and 28, are consumed, the empty storage tanks, 19, 20, 27 and
28, are removed and replaced with identical storage tanks, 19, 20,
27 and 28, containing the desired fabric care material or storage
tanks, 19, 20, 27, and 28, differing in the fabric care material
contained therein, so as to provide different benefits, e.g.,
cleaning benefits, antistatic benefits, home waterproofing, etc. In
one embodiment, the storage tanks, 19, 20, 27, and 28, may be
either disposed of by the use or returned for refilling by a third
party, such as, a retailer, wholesaler, or a manufacturer, with the
requisite amount of the desired fabric care material.
Alternatively, only one of the large storage tanks 19 or 20 might
be detachable, with the other large storage tank, 19 or 20,
permanently attached to the home dry cleaning system 70. Similarly,
another possible alternative is that only one of the small storage
tanks 27 or 28 is be detachable, with the other small storage tank,
28 or 29, permanently attached to the home dry cleaning system 70.
Any large storage tank, 19 and 20, or small storage tank 28, and
29, permanently affixed to the home dry cleaning system 70 may have
a closing means (not shown), such as a re-sealable lid.
[0022] The desired fabric care materials are delivered into the
applicator 26 preferably by pumping with pump 24. The fabric care
material stored in the large storage tanks 19 and 20 are pumped
through lines 22 and 21 respectively, first passing through valve
23, then through pump 24, then finally through line 25 to
applicator 26. The fabric care materials stored in the small
storage tanks 27 and 28 are pumped through lines 29 and 30,
respectively, first passing through valve 23, then through pump 24,
the finally through line 25 to applicator 26. Fabric care materials
from storage tanks 19, 20, 27, and 28, may pass through valve 23,
the through pump 24, then finally through line 25 to applicator 26
at the same, alternating, or at different times.
[0023] Once the fabric care material enters the fabric article
chamber 1, it is collected in the outer chamber 2. The fabric care
material exits the outer chamber 2 by use of a drain 7 and then
enters a recovery tank 8. Prior to delivering fabric care materials
into recovery tank 8, fabric care materials are filtered in filter
6. Preferably an air compressor (not shown) would be connected to
each of the large storage tanks, 19 and 20, and small storage
tanks, 27 and 28, by pressure lines. Other means of conveying
fabric care materials may include gravity, centrifugal, diaphragm,
piston, or peristaltic pumps.
[0024] Filter 6 removes lint, fabric fibers and large particulate
soil, so they don't settle on the recovery tank 8 bottom and clog
downstream lines. Also, filter 6 assures reliable operation of pump
10, since pump 10 is a typically higher pressure pump which
generally is of a type more easily damaged by solids.
[0025] Another preferred embodiment of the home dry cleaning system
not shown is a bi-modal machine. "Bi-modal" as used herein means a
home dry cleaning system capable of washing by fabric care
materials and by traditional aqueous based materials. Therefore the
bi-modal machine can have water-washing cycle in the same home dry
cleaning system that uses fabric care materials. Alternatively,
water-washed fabric articles may be used in the home dry cleaning
system to receive pretreatment
[0026] Fabric Care Materials
[0027] The fabric care material of the present invention may be in
any readily dispensable or flowable form, such as, thixotropic gel,
shear thinning liquid, liquid, gel, powder, granule, paste, flakes,
suspension, microparticles, nanoparticles, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the fabric care materials of the present invention are
selected from the group consisting of at least one solvent, at
least one surfactant, at least one additive, and mixtures
thereof.
[0028] (1) Solvent
[0029] The solvent of the present invention may comprise one or
more solvents, preferably being a lipophilic fluid. "Lipophilic
fluid" as used herein means any liquid or mixture of liquid that is
immiscible with water at up to 20% by weight of water. In general,
a suitable lipophilic fluid can be fully liquid at ambient
temperature and pressure, can be an easily melted solid, e.g., one
that becomes liquid at temperatures in the range from about
0.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C., or can comprise a mixture of
liquid and vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures,
e.g., at 25.degree. C. and 101.3 kPa (1 atm.) pressure.
[0030] It is preferred that the lipophilic fluid herein be
non-flammable or, have relatively high flash points and/or low VOC
characteristics, these terms having conventional meanings as used
in the dry cleaning industry, to equal or, preferably, exceed the
characteristics of known conventional dry cleaning fluids.
[0031] Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic fluid materials
include siloxanes, other silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers,
glycerine derivatives such as glycerine ethers, perfluorinated
amines, perfluorinated and hydrofluoroether solvents,
low-volatility nonfluorinated organic solvents, diol solvents,
other environmentally-friendly solvents and mixtures thereof.
[0032] "Siloxane" as used herein means silicone fluids that are
non-polar and insoluble in water or lower alcohols. Linear
siloxanes (see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,443,747, and 5,977,040)
and cyclic siloxanes are useful herein, including the cyclic
siloxanes selected from the group consisting of
octamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer),
dodecamethyl-cyclohexasiloxane (hexamer), and preferably
decamethyl-cyclopentasiloxane (pentamer, commonly referred to as
"D5"). A preferred siloxane comprises more than about 50% cyclic
siloxane pentamer, more preferably more than about 75% cyclic
siloxane pentamer, most preferably at least about 90% of the cyclic
siloxane pentamer. Also preferred for use herein are siloxanes that
are a mixture of cyclic siloxanes having at least about 90%
(preferably at least about 95%) pentamer and less than about 10%
(preferably less than about 5%) tetramer and/or hexamer.
[0033] The lipophilic fluid can include any fraction of
dry-cleaning solvents, especially newer types including fluorinated
solvents, or perfluorinated amines. Some perfluorinated amines such
as perfluorotributylamines, while unsuitable for use as lipophilic
fluid, may be present as one of many possible adjuncts present in
the lipophilic fluid-containing composition.
[0034] Other suitable lipophilic fluids include, but are not
limited to, diol solvent systems e.g., higher diols such as C.sub.6
or C.sub.8 or higher diols, organosilicone solvents including both
cyclic and acyclic types, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
[0035] Non-limiting examples of low volatility non-fluorinated
organic solvents include for example OLEAN.RTM. and other polyol
esters, or certain relatively nonvolatile biodegradable mid-chain
branched petroleum fractions.
[0036] Non-limiting examples of glycol ethers include propylene
glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene
glycol t-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene
glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene
glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether,
tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl
ether, tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol
n-butyl ether.
[0037] Non-limiting examples of other silicone solvents, in
addition to the siloxanes, are well known in the literature, see,
for example, Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and
are available from a number of commercial sources, including GE
Silicones, Toshiba Silicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning. For example,
one suitable silicone solvent is SF-1528 available from GE
Silicones.
[0038] Non-limiting examples of glycerine derivative solvents
include materials having the following structure:
[0039] Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerine derivative
solvents for use in the methods and/or apparatuses of the present
invention include glyercine derivatives having formula (I): 1
[0040] wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 of formula (I) are each
independently selected from: H; branched or linear, substituted or
unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.30 alkenyl,
C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.3-C.sub.30 alkyleneoxyalkyl,
C.sub.1-C.sub.30 acyloxy, C.sub.7-C.sub.30 alkylenearyl;
C.sub.4-C.sub.30 cycloalkyl; C.sub.6-C.sub.30 aryl; and mixtures
thereof. Two or more of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 of formula (I)
together can form a C.sub.3-C.sub.8 aromatic or non-aromatic,
heterocyclic or non-heterocyclic ring.
[0041] Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerine derivative
solvents include 2,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-1-propanol;
2,3-dimethoxy-1-propanol; 3-methoxy-2-cyclopentoxy-1-propanol;
3-methoxy-1-cyclopentoxy-2-propanol; carbonic acid
(2-hydroxy-1-methoxymethyl)ethyl ester methyl ester; glycerol
carbonate and mixtures thereof.
[0042] Non-limiting examples of other environmentally-friendly
solvents include lipophilic fluids that have an ozone formation
potential of from about 0 to about 0.31, lipophilic fluids that
have a vapor pressure of from about 0 Pa to about 13.3 Pa (0 to
about 0.1 mm Hg), and/or lipophilic fluids that have a vapor
pressure of greater than 13.3 (0.1 mm Hg), but have an ozone
formation potential of from about 0 to about 0.31. Non-limiting
examples of such lipophilic fluids that have not previously been
described above include carbonate solvents (i.e., methyl
carbonates, ethyl carbonates, ethylene carbonates, propylene
carbonates, glycerine carbonates) and/or succinate solvents (i.e.,
dimethyl succinates).
[0043] "Ozone Reactivity" as used herein is a measure of a VOC's
ability to form ozone in the atmosphere. It is measured as grams of
ozone formed per gram of volatile organics. A methodology to
determine ozone reactivity is discussed further in W. P. L. Carter,
"Development of Ozone Reactivity Scales of Volatile Organic
Compounds", Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association,
Vol. 44, Page 881-899, 1994. "Vapor Pressure" as used can be
measured by techniques defined in Method 310 of the California Air
Resources Board.
[0044] Preferably, the lipophilic fluid comprises more than 50% by
weight of the lipophilic fluid of cyclopentasiloxanes, ("D5")
and/or linear analogs having approximately similar volatility, and
optionally complemented by other silicone solvents.
[0045] (2) Surfactants
[0046] The surfactant suitable for use in the present invention has
the general formula (II) and (III):
Y.sub.U--(L.sub.t-X.sub.v).sub.x--Y'.sub.w (II)
L.sub.y--(X.sub.v--Y.sub.u).sub.x-L'.sub.z (III)
[0047] and mixtures thereof.
[0048] wherein L and L' of formulas (II) and (III) are solvent
compatibilizing (or lipophilic) moieties, which are independently
selected from:
[0049] (a) C.sub.1-C.sub.22 alkyl or C.sub.4-C.sub.12 alkoxy,
linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic, saturated or unsaturated,
substituted or unsubstituted;
[0050] (b) siloxanes having the formula (IV):
M.sub.aD.sub.bD'.sub.cD".sub.d (IV)
[0051] wherein a of formula (IV) is 0-2; b of formula (IV) is
0-1000; c of formula (IV) is 0-50; d of formula (IV) is 0-50,
provided that a+c+d of formula (IV) is at least 1;
[0052] M of formula (IV) is R.sup.1.sub.3-eX.sub.eSiO.sub.1/2
wherein R.sup.1 of formula (IV) is independently H, or an alkyl
group, X of formula (IV) is hydroxyl group, and e of formula (IV)
is 0 or 1;
[0053] D of formula (IV) is R.sup.4.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.4 of formula (IV) is independently H or an alkyl group;
[0054] D' of formula (IV) is R.sup.5.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.5 of formula (IV) is independently H, an alkyl group, or
(CH.sub.2).sub.f(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).sub.gO--(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.h--(C.sub.-
3H.sub.6O).sub.i(C.sub.kH.sub.2k).sub.j--R.sup.3, provided that at
least one R.sup.5 of formula (IV) is
(CH.sub.2).sub.f(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).sub.gO--(-
C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.h--(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.i(C.sub.kH.sub.2k).sub.j--R.-
sup.3 (formula (V)), wherein R.sup.3 of formula (V) is
independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f of formula
(V) is 1-10, g of formula (V) is 0 or 1, h of formula (V) is 1-50,
i of formula (V) is 0-50, j of formula (V) is 0-50, k of formula
(V) is 4-8; C.sub.6Q.sub.4 of formula (V) is unsubstituted or
substituted; Q of formula (V) is independently selected from H,
C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; and
[0055] D" of formula (IV) is R.sup.6.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.6 of formula (IV) is independently H, an alkyl group or
(CH.sub.2).sub.l(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).sub.m(A).sub.n-[(T).sub.o-(A').sub.p-].s-
ub.q-(T').sub.rZ(G).sub.s formula (VI), wherein 1 is 1-10; m of
formula (VI) is 0 or 1; n of formula (VI) is 0-5; o of formula (VI)
is 0-3; p of formula (VI) is 0 or 1; q of formula (VI) is 0-10; r
of formula (VI) is 0-3; s of formula (VI) is 0-3; C.sub.6Q.sub.4 of
formula (VI) is unsubstituted or substituted; Q of formula (VI) is
independently selected from H, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.2-10
alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; A and A' of formula (VI) are each
independently a linking moiety representing an ester, a keto, an
ether, a thio, an amido, an amino, a C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkyl, a
C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkenyl, a branched or straight chained
polyalkylene oxide, a phosphate, a sulfonyl, a sulfate, an
ammonium, and mixtures thereof; T and T' of formula (VI) are each
independently a C.sub.1-30 straight chained or branched alkyl or
alkenyl or an aryl which is unsubstituted or substituted; Z of
formula (VI) is a hydrogen, carboxylic acid, a hydroxy, a
phosphato, a phosphate ester, a sulfonyl, a sulfonate, a sulfate, a
branched or straight-chained polyalkylene oxide, a nitryl, a
glyceryl, an aryl unsubstituted or substituted with a C.sub.1-30
alkyl or a C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, a carbohydrate unsubstituted or
substituted with a C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, or an
ammonium; G of formula (VI) is an anion or cation such as H.sup.+,
Na.sup.+, Li.sup.+, K.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+, Ca.sup.+2, Mg.sup.+2,
Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, mesylate or tosylate; and D" of
formula (IV) can be capped with C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl or hydroxy
groups;
[0056] Y and Y' of formulas (II) and (III) are hydrophilic
moieties, which are independently selected from hydroxy;
polyhydroxy; C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkoxy; mono- or di-alkanolamine,
mono- or di-alkanolamide; C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl substituted
alkanolamine; substituted heterocyclic containing O, S, N;
sulfates; carboxylate; carbonate; and when Y and/or Y' of formulas
(II) and (III) is ethoxy (EO) or propoxy (PO), it must be capped
with R of formula (II) and (III), which is selected from the group
consisting of:
[0057] (i) a 4 to 8 membered, substituted or unsubstituted,
heterocyclic ring containing from 1 to 3 hetero atoms; and
[0058] (ii) linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,
substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic or
aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having from about 1 to about 30
carbon atoms;
[0059] X of formulas (II) and (III) is a bridging linkage selected
from 0; S; N; P; C.sub.1 to C.sub.22 alkyl, linear or branched,
saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or
acyclic, aliphatic or aromatic, interrupted by O, S, N, P;
glycidyl, ester, amido, amino, PO.sub.4.sup.2-, HPO.sub.4.sup.-,
PO.sub.3.sup.2-, HPO.sub.3.sup.-, which are protonated or
unprotonated;
[0060] u and w of formulas (II) and (III) are integers
independently selected from 0 to 20, provided that
u+w.gtoreq.1;
[0061] t of formulas (II) and (III) is an integer from 1 to 10;
[0062] v of formulas (II) and (III) is an integer from 0 to 10;
[0063] x of formulas (II) and (III) is an integer from 1 to 20;
and
[0064] y and z of formulas (II) and (III) are integers
independently selected from 1 to 10.
[0065] Nonlimiting examples of surfactants having the above formula
include:
[0066] (1) alkanolamines/alkanolamides;
[0067] (2) phophate/phosphonate esters;
[0068] (3) gemini surfactants including, but are not limited to,
gemini diols, gemini amide alkoxylates, gemini amino
alkoxylates;
[0069] (4) capped nonionic surfactants;
[0070] (5) capped silicone surfactants such as nonionic silicone
ethoxylates, silicone amine derivatives;
[0071] (6) alkyl alkoxylates;
[0072] (7) polyol surfactants; and
[0073] (8) mixtures thereof.
[0074] Another class of surfactant can include siloxane-based
surfactants. The siloxane-based surfactants in this application may
be siloxane polymers for other applications. The siloxane-based
surfactants typically have a weight average molecular weight from
500 to 20,000 daltons. Such materials, derived from
poly(dimethylsiloxane), are well known in the art. In the present
invention, not all such siloxane-based surfactants are suitable,
because they do not provide improved cleaning of soils compared to
the level of cleaning provided by the lipophilic fluid itself.
[0075] Suitable siloxane-based surfactants comprise a polyether
siloxane having the formula (VII):
M.sub.aD.sub.bD'.sub.cD".sub.dM'.sub.2-a (VII)
[0076] wherein a of formula (VII) is 0-2; b of formula (VII) is
0-1000; c of formula (VII) is 0-50; d of formula (VII) is 0-50,
provided that a+c+d of formula (VII) is at least 1;
[0077] M of formula (VII) is R.sup.1.sub.3-eX.sub.eSiO.sub.1/2
wherein R.sup.1 of formula (VII) is independently H, or an alkyl
group, X of formula (VII) is hydroxyl group, and e of formula (VII)
is 0 or 1;
[0078] M" of formula (VII) is R.sup.2.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2 wherein
R.sup.2 of formula (VII) is independently H, an alkyl group, or
(CH.sub.2).sub.f(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).sub.gO--(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.h--(C.sub.-
3H.sub.6O).sub.i(C.sub.kH.sub.2k).sub.j--R.sup.3 (formula (VII),
provided that at least one R.sup.2 of formula (VII) is
(CH.sub.2).sub.f(C.sub.6Q.s-
ub.4).sub.gO--(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.h--(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.i(C.sub.kH.su-
b.2k).sub.j--R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 of formula (VIII) is
independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f of formula
(VIII) is 1-10, g of formula (VIII) is 0 or 1, h of formula (VIII)
is 1-50, i of formula (VIII) is 0-50, j of formula (VIII) is 0-50,
k of formula (VIII) is 4-8; C.sub.6Q.sub.4 of formula (VIII) is
unsubstituted or substituted; Q of formula (VIII) is independently
selected from H, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, and mixtures
thereof;
[0079] D of formula (VII) is R.sup.4.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.4 of formula (VII) is independently H or an alkyl group;
[0080] D' of formula (VII) is R.sup.5.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.5 of formula (VII) is independently R.sup.2 of formula (VII)
provided that at least one R.sup.5 of formula (VII) is
(CH.sub.2).sub.f(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).su-
b.gO--(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.b--(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.i(C.sub.kH.sub.2k).su-
b.j--R.sup.3 (formula (IX)), wherein R.sup.3 of formula (IX) is
independently H, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, f of formula
(IX) is 1-10, g of formula (IX) is 0 or 1, h of formula (IX) is
1-50, i of formula (IX) is 0-50, j of formula (IX) is 0-50, k of
formula (IX) is 4-8; C.sub.6Q.sub.4 of formula (IX) is
unsubstituted or substituted; Q of formula (IX) is independently
selected from H, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, and mixtures
thereof; and
[0081] D" of formula (VII) is R.sup.6.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2 wherein
R.sup.6 of formula (VII) is independently H, an alkyl group or
(CH.sub.2).sub.l(C.sub.6Q.sub.4).sub.m(A).sub.n-[(T).sub.o-(A').sub.p-].s-
ub.q-(T').sub.fZ(G).sub.s (formula (X)), wherein I of formula (X)
is 1-10; m of formula (X) is 0 or 1; n of formula (X) is 0-5; o of
formula (X) is 0-3; p of formula (X) is 0 or 1; q of formula (X) is
0-10; r of formula (X) is 0-3; s of formula (X) is 0-3;
C.sub.6Q.sub.4 of formula (X) is unsubstituted or substituted; Q of
formula (X) is independently selected from H, C.sub.1-10 alkyl,
C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; A and A' of formula (X)
are each independently a linking moiety representing an ester, a
keto, an ether, a thio, an amido, an amino, a C.sub.1-4
fluoroalkyl, a C.sub.1-4 fluoroalkenyl, a branched or straight
chained polyalkylene oxide, a phosphate, a sulfonyl, a sulfate, an
ammonium, and mixtures thereof; T and T' of formula (X) are each
independently a C.sub.1-30 straight chained or branched alkyl or
alkenyl or an aryl which is unsubstituted or substituted; Z of
formula (X) is a hydrogen, carboxylic acid, a hydroxy, a phosphate,
a phosphate ester, a sulfonyl, a sulfonate, a sulfate, a branched
or straight-chained polyalkylene oxide, a nitryl, a glyceryl, an
aryl unsubstituted or substituted with a C.sub.1-30 alkyl or
C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, a carbohydrate unsubstituted or substituted
with a C.sub.1-10 alkyl or C.sub.2-10 alkenyl, or an ammonium; G of
formula (X) is an anion or cation such as H.sup.+, Na.sup.+,
Li.sup.+, K.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+, Ca.sup.+2, Mg.sup.+2, Cl.sup.-,
Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, mesylate or tosylate.
[0082] Examples of the types of siloxane-based surfactants
described herein above may be found in EP-1,043,443 A1,
EP-1;041,189 and WO 01/34,706 (all to GE Silicones) and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,676,705, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,977, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,473,
and EP 1,092,803A1 (all assigned to Lever Brothers).
[0083] Nonlimiting commercially available examples of suitable
siloxane-based surfactants are TSF 4446 (ex. General Electric
Silicones), XS69-B5476 (ex. General Electric Silicones); Jenamine
HSX (ex. DelCon) and Y12147 (ex. OSi Specialties).
[0084] Yet another preferred class of materials suitable for the
surfactant component is organic in nature. Preferred materials are
organosulfosuccinate surfactants, with carbon chains of from about
6 to about 20 carbon atoms. Most preferred are
organosulfosuccinates containing dialkly chains, each with carbon
chains of from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. Also preferred are
chains containing aryl or alkyl aryl, substituted or unsubstituted,
branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated groups. Nonlimiting
commercially available examples of suitable organosulfosuccinate
surfactants are available under the trade names of AEROSOL OT.RTM.
and AEROSOL TR-70.RTM. (ex. Cytec).
[0085] The surfactant component, when present in fabric care
compositions, preferably comprises from about 1% to about 99%, more
preferably 2% to about 75%, even more preferably from about 5% to
about 60% by weight of the composition.
[0086] When the fabric care composition is diluted with a
lipophilic fluid to prepare the wash liquor, the surfactant
preferably comprises from about 0.01% to about 10%, more preferably
from about 0.02% to about 5%, even more preferably from about 0.05%
to about 2% by weight of the wash liquor.
[0087] (3) Polar Solvent
[0088] An additional fabric care material may comprise one or more
polar solvent. Non-limiting examples of polar solvents include:
water, alcohols, glycols, polyglycols, ethers, carbonates, dibasic
esters, ketones, other oxygenated solvents, and mixutures thereof.
Further examples of alcohols include: C.sub.1-C.sub.30 alcohols,
such as propanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and the like, benzyl
alcohol, and diols such as 1,2-hexanediol. The DOWANOL.RTM. series
by Dow Chemical are examples of glycols and polyglycols useful as
polar solvents, such as DOWANOL.RTM. TPM, TPnP, DPnB, DPnP, TPnB,
PPh, DPM, DPMA, DB, and others. Further examples include propylene
glycol, butylene glycol, polybutylene glycol and more hydrophobic
glycols. Examples of carbonate solvents are ethylene, propylene and
butylene carbonantes such as those available under the JEFFSOL.RTM.
tradename. Polar solvents can be further identified through
dispersive (.delta..sub.D), polar (.delta..sub.p) and hydrogen
bonding (.delta..sub.H) Hansen solubility parameters. Preferred
polar solvents or polar solvent mixtures have fractional polar
(f.sub.p) and fractional hydrogen bonding (f.sub.H) values of
f.sub.p>0.02 and f.sub.H>0.10, where
f.sub.p=.delta..sub.p(.delta..sub.D+.delta..sub.p+- .delta..sub.H)
and f.sub.H=.delta..sub.H/(.delta..sub.D+.delta..sub.p+.del-
ta..sub.H), more preferably f.sub.p>0.05 and f.sub.H>0.20,
and most preferably f.sub.p>0.07 and f.sub.H>0.30.
[0089] In a fabric care composition, the levels of polar solvent
can be from about 0 wt % to about 70 wt %, preferably about 1 wt %
to about 50 wt % even more preferably about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %
by weight of the fabric care composition.
[0090] When the fabric care composition comprises an
amino-functional silicone as the only emulsifying agent, preferred
levels of polar solvent are from about 0.01 wt % to about 2 wt %,
preferably about 0.05 wt % to about 0.8 wt %, even more preferably
about 0.1 wt % to about 0.5 wt % by weight of the fabric care
composition.
[0091] When the fabric care composition comprises higher levels of
polar solvent, the fabric care compositions preferably comprise
from about 2 wt % to about 25 wt %, more preferably from about 5 wt
% to about 20 wt %, even more preferably from about 8 wt % to about
15 wt % by weight of the fabric care composition.
[0092] (4) Fabric Care Adjuncts
[0093] Some suitable fabric care adjuncts or additives include, but
are not limited to, builders, enzymes, bleach activators, bleach
catalysts, bleach boosters, bleaches, alkalinity sources,
antibacterial agents, colorants, perfumes, pro-perfumes, finishing
aids, lime soap dispersants, odor control agents, odor
neutralizers, color care agents, polymeric dye transfer inhibiting
agents, crystal growth inhibitors, photobleaches, heavy metal ion
sequestrants, anti-tarnishing agents, anti-microbial agents,
anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, soil release polymers,
electrolytes, pH modifiers, thickeners, abrasives, divalent or
trivalent ions, metal ion salts, enzyme stabilizers, corrosion
inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, suds
stabilizing polymers, solvents, process aids, fabric softening
agents, wrinkle releaser, starch, rebuild agent, body agent,
optical brighteners, hydrotropes, suds or foam suppressors, suds or
foam boosters and mixtures thereof.
[0094] Optionally, the fabric care adjuncts may comprise processing
aids. Processing aids facilitate the formation of the cleaning
compositions by maintaining the fluidity and/or homogeneity of the
cleaning composition, and/or aiding in the dilution process.
Processing aids suitable as solvents, preferably solvents other
than those described above, include hydrotropes, and/or
surfactants, preferably surfactants other than those described
above with respect to the surfactant component. Particularly
preferred processing aids are protic solvents such as aliphatic
alcohols, diols, triols, etc. and nonionic surfactants such as
ethoxylated fatty alcohols.
[0095] Processing aids, when present in the cleaning compositions,
preferably comprise from about 0.02 wt % to about 10 wt %, more
preferably from about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt %, even more
preferably from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % by weight of the
cleaning composition. Processing aids, when the cleaning
composition is diluted with a lipophilic fluid to prepare the wash
liquor, preferably comprise from about 1 wt % to about 75 wt %,
more preferably from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % by weight of the
wash liquor.
[0096] Suitable odor control agents, which may optionally be used
as finishing agents, include agents include, cyclodextrins, odor
neutralizers, odor blockers and mixtures thereof. Suitable odor
neutralizers include aldehydes, flavanoids, metallic salts,
water-soluble polymers, zeolites, activated carbon and mixtures
thereof.
[0097] Perfumes and perfumery ingredients useful comprise a wide
variety of natural and synthetic chemical ingredients, including,
but not limited to, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and the like. Also
included are various natural extracts and essences which can
comprise complex mixtures of ingredients, such as orange oil, lemon
oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, patchouli, balsamic essence,
sandalwood oil, pine oil, cedar, and the like. Finished perfumes
may comprise extremely complex mixtures of such ingredients.
Pro-perfumes are also useful in the present invention. Such
materials are those precursors or mixtures thereof capable of
chemically reacting, e.g., by hydrolysis, to release a perfume.
[0098] Bleaches, especially oxygen bleaches, are another type of
fabric care material suitable as a cleaning adjunct for use in the
present invention. This is especially the case for the activated
and catalyzed forms with such bleach activators as
nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate and/or any of its linear or branched
higher or lower homologs, and/or tetraacetylethylenediamine and/or
any of its derivatives or derivatives of
phthaloylimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP; available from Ausimont SpA
under trademane Euroco) or other imido- or amido-substituted bleach
activators including the lactam types, or more generally any
mixture of hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic bleach activators
(especially acyl derivatives including those of the
C.sub.6-C.sub.16 substituted oxybenzenesulfonates).
[0099] Also suitable are organic or inorganic peracids both
including PAP and other than PAP. Suitable organic or inorganic
peracids include, but are not limited to: percarboxylic acids and
salts; percarbonic acids and salts; perimidic acids and salts;
peroxymonosulfuric acids and salts; persulphates such as
monopersulfate; peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioic acid
(DPDA); magnesium peroxyphthalic acid; perlauric acid; perbenzoic
and alkylperbenzoic acids; and mixtures thereof.
[0100] Detersive enzymes may be utilized as fabric care adjuncts.
Proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases and the like as well as
bleach catalysts including the macrocyclic types having manganese
or similar transition metals may used at very low, or less
commonly, higher levels. Fabric care adjuncts that are catalytic,
for example enzymes, can be used in "forward" or "reverse" modes.
For example, a lipolase or other hydrolase may be used, optionally
in the presence of alcohols as adjuncts, to convert fatty acids to
esters, thereby increasing solubility in the lipohilic fluid of the
enzyme.
[0101] Finishing polymers may also be used as fabric care adjuncts.
Nonlimiting examples of finishing polymers that are commercially
available are: polyvinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate
copolymer, such as Copolymer 958.RTM., weight average molecular
weight of about 100,000 daltons and Copolymer 937, weight average
molecular weight of about 1,000,000 daltons, available from GAF
Chemicals Corporation; adipic acid/dimethylaminohydroxypropyl
diethylenetriamine copolymer, such as CARTARETIN F-4.RTM. and F-23,
available from Sandoz Chemicals Corporation; methacryloyl ethyl
betaine/methacrylates copolymer, such as DIAFORMER Z-SM.RTM.,
available from Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation; polyvinyl alcohol
copolymer resin, such as VINEX 2019.RTM., available from Air
Products and Chemicals or MOWE01.RTM., available from Clariant;
adipic acid/epoxypropyl diethylenetriamine copolymer, such as
DELSETTE 101.RTM., available from Hercules Incorporated; polyamine
resins, such as CYPRO 515.RTM., available from Cytec Industries;
polyquaternary amine resins, such as KYMENE 557H.RTM., available
from Hercules Incorporated; and polyvinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid,
such as SOKALAN EG 310.RTM., available from BASF.
[0102] The fabric care adjuncts may also be an antistatic agent.
Any suitable well-known antistatic agents used in conventional
laundering and dry cleaning are suitable as fabric care adjuncts of
the present invention. Especially suitable as antistatic agents are
the subset of fabric softeners which are known to provide
antistatic benefits. For example those fabric softeners that have a
fatty acyl group which has an iodine value of above 20, such as
N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethy- l ammonium methylsulfate.
However, it is to be understood that the term antistatic agent is
not to be limited to just this subset of fabric softeners and
includes all antistatic agents.
[0103] Insect and moth repelling may also be used as fabric care
adjuncts. Preferred insect and moth repellent are perfume
ingredients, such as citronellol, citronellal, citral, linalool,
cedar extract, geranium oil, sandalwood oil,
2-(diethylphenoxy)ethanol, 1-dodecene, etc. Other examples of
insect and/or moth repellents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,449,987; 4,693,890; 4,696,676; 4,933,371; 5,030,660; 5,196,200;
and in "Semio Activity of Flavor and Fragrance Molecules on Various
Insect Species", B. D. Mookherjee et al., published in Bioactive
Volatile Compounds from Plants, ACS Symposium Series 525, R.
Teranishi, R. G. Buttery, and H. Sugisawa, 1993, pp. 3548.
[0104] (5) Additional Fabric Care Materials
[0105] Additional fabric care materials suitable for use herein may
include traditional fabric care materials found in such consumer
products typically used in a conventional, water-based cleaning
system, such products are exemplified by laundry detergent products
including, but not limited to TIDE.RTM.E, ARIEL.RTM., GAIN.RTM.,
CHEER.RTM., IVORY SNOW.RTM., BOLD.RTM., BONUZ.RTM., DASH.RTM., DASH
2-IN-1.RTM., MYTH.RTM., POP.RTM., RINDEX.RTM., VIZIR.RTM.,
WASH&GO.RTM.; in fabric softening products including, but not
limited to DOWNY.RTM., LENOR.RTM. and BOUNCE.RTM.; in fabric
refreshing products including, but not limited to FEBREZE.RTM.; in
pretreating products including but not limited to ERA.RTM.; in
bleach products including but not limited to ACE.RTM., in home
fabric care products such as DRYEL.RTM., and other laundry related
products not specifically mentioned here.
[0106] Home Dry Cleaning System Replacement Materials
[0107] Home dry cleaning system replacement materials include such
parts of the home dry cleaning system, such as the one discussed
above, that require replacement to continue to function at desired
levels of performance. This is in contrast to more durable portions
of the home dry cleaning system such as a fabric article chamber 1,
a door 59, or other similar part of the home dry cleaning
system.
[0108] Home dry cleaning system replacement materials may require
frequent replacement. "Frequent" as used herein may refer to
replacement after every use of the home dry cleaning system, or it
may refer to periodic replacement, including but not limited to
every 5 years, every 3 years, every year, every six months, every
month, or replacement may be dependent upon when fabric care
materials are replaced.
[0109] Filters--Filters may be of any materials and can be of any
form that functions in the home dry cleaning system. Filters may
relate to the removal of solid, liquid, or gas materials used in
the home dry cleaning system. Filters may be regenerable for a
certain time period, until replacement is recommended.
[0110] As discussed above in the home dry cleaning system 70,
preferably filter 6, may be any conventionally used filter and
includes, but is not limited to FULFO.RTM. basket strainers or
pleated cartridges such as those manufactured by Parker Filtration,
e.g. US mesh 20 to 100 (840 micron to 149 micron filters) cartridge
filter. In one embodiment the filter 6 can be replaced with a new
identical, but unused, filter 6 and the removed filter 6 can be
discarded or recycled by a third party for resale and reuse. In
another embodiment the filter 6 can be self-cleaning until
recommendations indicate replacement, including but not limited to
every month or every 3-5 years.
[0111] Screens--similarly screens that can be utilized in the home
dry cleaning system may need to be replaced. Screens may be used in
the home dry cleaning system to control solid wastes.
[0112] Storage tanks--Storage tanks, large or small, may be
discarded and replaced after a single use or may be such that
refilling the storage tank several times may be done before
replacement is recommended. Storage tanks may comprise any known
material, but preferably is some material that may be recycles or
environmentally friendly. Such materials include, but are not
limited to plastics, metals, coated paper, or any combination
thereof. Storage tanks may take the form of cartridges that may be
used until empty and then replaced with a similar cartridge.
Smaller volume materials such as the cleaning adjuncts may utilize
cartridges, while higher volume materials such as the solvent
utilize storage tanks.
[0113] Identification of Consumer Desired Benefits
[0114] To effectively market a consumer product, an identified need
or desired benefit of the consumer must be identified and then
addressed. Identification of the consumer need or desired benefit
may be accomplished by any known means such as a survey,
questionnaire, internet response, free samples, unsolicited
responses from consumer, consumer panel testing and the like. Once
a consumer need or desired benefit is identified then appropriate
consumer products may be developed to address the needs and desired
benefits.
[0115] Consumer Desired Benefits For Fabric Treating
[0116] Traditionally, desired consumer needs or benefits in the
laundry area primarily relate to the cleaning of fabric articles.
As used herein "cleaning" means removal of soils, fabric enhancing
to preserve the color and quality of the fabric article. Another
consumer desired benefit relates to fabric refreshing. As used
herein, "refreshing" deals with the smell of the fabric, and the
feel of the fabric, such as softness, wrinkles, and anti-static
properties. Additional consumer desired benefit relate to fabric
sizing or conditioning, which deals with anti-abrasion, soil or
water repellancy, anti-pilling properties.
[0117] The various consumer benefits that can be delivered in a
consumer laundry product require the use of varied and diverse
classes of fabric treating materials.
[0118] Kit and/or Article of Manufacture
[0119] The identified consumer product may require or be more
effectively addressed through the use of a combination of fabric
care materials. The fabric care materials may be packaged
separately and then combined together to comprise a kit. As used
herein "kit" means two or more fabric care materials packaged
together. The kit may include fabric care materials, home dry
cleaning system replacement materials, aqueous tradition fabric
care materials, and any combination thereof.
[0120] In one embodiment of the present invention, kits may be
themed to address identified consumer problems. Non-limiting
examples include, new user kits providing the basic materials such
as fabric care materials and home dry cleaning system replacement
materials necessary to start the use of the home dry cleaning
system; baby theme kits that give fabric care products for cleaning
baby stains; sport theme kits that give fabric care materials that
give grass and mud soil cleaning; male theme kits that give fabric
care products for male consumers who may prefer, for example,
specific scents or to target identified male consumer desired
benefits; female theme kits that give fabric care products for
female consumers who may prefer, for example, specific scents or to
target identified female consumer desired benefits; pet theme kits
that give fabric care materials targeting pet odors; and smoker
theme kits that target smoke related odors.
[0121] In another embodiment of the present invention, a kit may be
assembled for the convenience of the consumer by packaging together
the staple materials for the present system or the consumable
materials that need to be replaced or replenished often. For
example, a kit may include a general detergent composition; a
filter; optionally, one or more a fabric care additives, such as a
surfactants; and optionally, one or more home dry cleaning system
replacement materials.
[0122] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fabric
treating compositions containing one or more fabric treating
materials and/or additives are provided in a container having a set
of instructions associated therewith. Examples of fabric treating
composition suitable for use in the present invention include, but
are not limited to, those composition disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,670,317; U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,677; U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,617; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,660,703; U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,153; US 2003/0087793A1; US
2003/00603969A1; US 2003/0119699A1; US 2003/0119711A1; and US
2003/0119709A1. It is understood that the compositions, adjuncts or
additives may be distributed to the vendors and/or consumers
without the lipophilic fluid content; the fabric treating
composition containing lipophilic fluid may be produced by
combining the lipophilic fluid with the distributed compositions,
adjuncts or additives prior to or during the in home laundering
process.
[0123] As used herein, "associated with" means the instructions are
either printed on the container itself or on a printed label
attached to the container, or presented in a different manner
including, but not limited to, a brochure, a printed advertisement,
an electroninc or internet advertisement, and/or verbal
presentation, so as to communicate the instructions to a
consumer.
[0124] The set of instructions includes, but is not limited to,
instructions to selected one or more compositions based on the
desired benefits; instructions directing the user to dial a
specific telephone number wherein the instructions to selected one
or more compositions based on the desired benefits are presented by
verbal communication; instructions directing the user to a specific
computer website wherein the instructions to selected one or more
compositions based on the desired benefits are displayed by
electronic communication; or combinations thereof.
[0125] The set of instructions may be pictorial, textual,
alphanumerical, or combinations thereof.
[0126] In one embodiment, the set of instructions directs the user
to choose and/or combine one or more fabric treating compositions
or additives to achieve the desired benefit. For example, a basic
or general detergent composition may be useful for a general
purpose cleaning in the home dry cleaning system of the present
invention. For some tough to remove stains (e.g., grass, coffee or
blood stains), the general detergent composition may be combined
with one or more doses of a specific additive or composition
containing the specific additive to enhance the stain removal
performance of the system. The instructions may include various
types of stains, the corresponding additives, and the effective
amount (which may be presented in one or more dosage units) of the
specific additives recommended for enhancing or delivering the
desired benefits. The additives or compositions containing the
additives may be packaged in unit dose packets or in multi-dose
dispensers. The dispenser may comprise a dispensing means, such as
a spout, a pump, a spray nozzle, and a measuring means for precise
dosing, such as an accurated, graduated, or inscribed cup, dropper,
syringe, and the like. The dispensing means can also be accurated,
graduated or inscribed to serve as the measuring means. The
instructions may also direct the user to choose a pretreating
composition, which is to be applied to the fabric articles prior to
the laundering process in the home dry cleaning system, in
combination with the general detergent composition and/or the
additives, which is to be applied during the laundering process in
the device, to enhance or deliver the desired benefits.
[0127] In another embodiment, the set of instructions may direct
the user to choose and/or combine various composition and additives
to produce combinations that are focused on themes, such as pet
odor targeted theme, smoke odor targeted theme, male or female
preferred themes.
[0128] Vendor
[0129] The fabric care material or kit of the present invention is
then distributed to a vendor. As used herein "vendor" means any
distributor, store, internet sale provider, or any other entity
that provides such fabric care materials or kits directly or
indirectly to a consumer.
[0130] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
[0131] All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated
herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be
construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the
present invention.
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