U.S. patent application number 11/452493 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for fabric article treatment appliance.
Invention is credited to Jerome Howard Collins, John Christopher Deak, Paul Amaat France, Frederick Anthony Hartman, James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett-St. Laurent, Anna Vadimovna Noyes, Arseni V. Radomyselski, Nabil Yaqub Sakkab, Jeffrey John Scheibel, John Cort Severns, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, Phillip Kyle Vinson.
Application Number | 20060234891 11/452493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26904180 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060234891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noyes; Anna Vadimovna ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
Fabric article treatment appliance
Abstract
A fabric article treatment appliance capable of washing and
drying fabric articles, moreover, the appliances is capable of
providing and using a first and a second predominant fluid in the
washing step, wherein the first and the second predominant fluids
are different.
Inventors: |
Noyes; Anna Vadimovna;
(Hamilton, OH) ; Deak; John Christopher; (West
Chester, OH) ; Scheibel; Jeffrey John; (Loveland,
OH) ; Vinson; Phillip Kyle; (Fairfield, OH) ;
Hartman; Frederick Anthony; (Cincinnati, OH) ;
Laurent; James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett-St.; (Lasne,
BE) ; Severns; John Cort; (West Chester, OH) ;
Radomyselski; Arseni V.; (Hamilton, OH) ; France;
Paul Amaat; (West Chester, OH) ; Collins; Jerome
Howard; (Cincinnati, OH) ; Thoen; Christiaan Arthur
Jacques Kamiel; (West Chester, OH) ; Sakkab; Nabil
Yaqub; (Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
26904180 |
Appl. No.: |
11/452493 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10964027 |
Oct 13, 2004 |
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11452493 |
Jun 14, 2006 |
|
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09849842 |
May 4, 2001 |
6828292 |
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10964027 |
Oct 13, 2004 |
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60209443 |
Jun 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
510/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 17/04 20130101;
C11D 3/3773 20130101; C11D 7/24 20130101; D06F 35/003 20130101;
C11D 3/3947 20130101; C11D 11/0076 20130101; C10G 33/02 20130101;
D06F 35/001 20130101; D06F 2103/00 20200201; C11D 3/3765 20130101;
C11D 3/162 20130101; C11D 3/40 20130101; C11D 7/5013 20130101; C11D
11/0017 20130101; C11D 7/3209 20130101; C11D 7/3218 20130101; C11D
3/30 20130101; C11D 3/43 20130101; F26B 21/14 20130101; C11D 3/50
20130101; C11D 3/395 20130101; C11D 17/049 20130101; C11D 7/263
20130101; C11D 7/5009 20130101; C11D 3/2041 20130101; D06L 1/10
20130101; C11D 3/3942 20130101; C11D 7/30 20130101; D06M 13/005
20130101; B01J 20/26 20130101; D06M 23/06 20130101; C11D 7/5004
20130101; C11D 3/3905 20130101; C11D 3/3945 20130101; C11D 7/5027
20130101; C11D 17/041 20130101; D06F 58/30 20200201; D06L 4/17
20170101; C11D 7/5022 20130101; D06L 1/12 20130101; B01J 20/28033
20130101; C11D 3/3932 20130101; D06L 1/02 20130101; D06F 43/007
20130101; B01D 17/0202 20130101; D06L 1/04 20130101; D06L 1/08
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
510/285 |
International
Class: |
D06L 1/04 20060101
D06L001/04 |
Claims
1. A fabric article treatment appliance comprising: (i) a
perforated drum; (ii) a first means configured to store and deliver
a lipophilic cleaning fluid; (iii) a second means configured to
provide water; (iv) a third means for tumble drying; (v) recovery
means comprising a storage tank for spent fluid and a separator for
separating lipophilic cleaning fluid from water and/or solid
soils.
2. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the appliance is
capable of performing: (i) an immersive treating step wherein water
is the predominant fluid; (ii) a non-immersive treating step
wherein water is the predominant fluid; (iii) an immersive treating
step wherein a lipophilic cleaning fluid is the predominant fluid;
(iv) a non-immersive treating step wherein a lipophilic cleaning
fluid is the predominant fluid.
3. The appliance according to claim 1 further comprising a fourth
means to provide impinging gas.
4. The appliance according to claim 1 further comprising one or
more of the following: an ozonizer, an ultrasonic device, an
electrolysis device and an ion exchange column.
5. The appliance according to claim 1 further comprising process
control means configured to sense a parameter and adjust the
process in function of the result detected.
6. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the lipophilic
cleaning fluid is selected from the group consisting of linear or
cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, perfluorocarbons,
perchloroethylene, glycol ethers, liquefied carbon dioxide, and
mixtures thereof.
7. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the lipophilic
cleaning fluid is a linear or cyclic silicone having a normal
boiling point of from about 180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.
and a viscosity of no more than about 10 cS.
8. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the lipophilic
cleaning fluid is selected from the group consisting of
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,
dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, perfluorobutylamine, dipropylene
glycol dimethyl ether, diproplyene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene
glycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof.
9. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the appliance is
capable of performing a predominant fluid switchover step
comprising: (a) providing a first mixture comprising a first
predominant fluid to the appliance; (b) at least partially removing
the first predominant fluid; and (c) adding a second predominant
fluid to the appliance, thereby transforming the first mixture into
a second mixture comprising the second predominant fluid.
10. The appliance according to claim 9 wherein one of the
predominant fluids is water and the other predominant fluid
comprises linear or cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, perchloroethylene, glycol ethers, liquefied
carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
11. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the appliance is
capable of reducing surfactant carry-over effect by performing the
following steps: (a) providing a first mixture comprising a first
predominant fluid and a surfactant to the appliance; (b) at least
partially removing the first mixture, thereby at least partially
removing the surfactant; and (c) adding a second predominant fluid
to the appliance, thereby transforming the first mixture into a
second mixture comprising the second predominant fluid.
12. The appliance according to claim 11 wherein one of the
predominant fluids is water and the other predominant fluid
comprises linear or cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, perchloroethylene, glycol ethers, liquefied
carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional Application of co-pending
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/964,027, filed on Oct. 13, 2004, which
is a Divisional Application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.
09/849,842, filed on May 4, 2001, which claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.
60/209,443, which was filed on Jun. 5, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fabric article treatment
appliance capable of washing and drying fabric articles, moreover,
the appliances is capable of providing and using a first and a
second predominant fluids in the washing step, wherein the first
and the second predominant fluids are different.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fabric articles, such as mixed bundles of consumer garments
and/or footwear are cleaned and further treated with compositions
other than cleaning compositions in various ways. These include
treating the fabric articles by:
[0004] (a) washing them in a washing machine and drying them in a
dryer in the presence of a fabric-softener loaded substrate
article;
[0005] (b) washing them in a washing machine, then treating them
with fabric softener, then transferring them to a dryer;
[0006] (c) washing them and treating them with fabric softener in a
combined washer-dryer using water as the predominant fluid; and
[0007] (d) washing or treating them in a non-domestic appliance,
such as a supercritical fluid cleaning machine or a dry-cleaning
machine, for example using supercritical carbon dioxide as the
predominant fluid.
[0008] Typically the fabric articles have to be separated according
to the textile of which they are made or according to their color,
before such washing can be done. Additionally so-called "home dry
cleaning" compositions have recently become available. These offer
imperfect cleaning and are used exclusively in tumble-dryers, where
only very small amounts of organic fluids can be used without fire
hazards or other problems. Moreover, some recent innovations in
appliances for commercial and/or service business use a predominant
fluid which is other than water and/or liquefied carbon dioxide.
For example, the predominant fluid can be a silicone or
fluorocarbon. Conventional dry-cleaning uses perchloroethylene,
Stoddard solvent, or other hydrocarbons and/or azeotropic mixtures
of volatile compounds. None of the present alternatives offer the
consumer the degree of convenience and satisfaction that would be
available if they could treat a mixed, preferably unseparated,
bundle of fabric articles in a single series of cleaning and
finishing operations in a single appliance at home. Perhaps the
closest available treatment is that which is conducted in a
combined washer-dryer, however, even in this case such appliances
have no provision for using let alone recovering any fluids other
than water. Moreover, there has apparently been little effort in
the art to fully harness and exploit the cleaning and fabric care
advantages of processes having more than one fluid.
BACKGROUND ART
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,044, Economics Laboratory Inc. describes
a laundry method, all taking place in an aqueous laundry bath,
including the step of laundering oil soiled fabric in a
particularly defined lipophilic surfactant composition and
subsequently laundering such fabric with a hydrophilic surfactant
based detergent system. More particularly described is a multi-step
process for laundering oil soiled fabric, said process comprising:
laundering said fabric in a first aqueous bath including a
lipophilic surfactant which imparts oil-solubilizing
characteristics to said first aqueous bath, separating said fabric
from said first aqueous bath, laundering said fabric in a second
hydrophilic aqueous bath including hydrophilic detergent and
separating said fabric from said second hydrophilic aqueous
bath.
[0010] JP--05009862 A, Kanebo, describes a process comprising
washing a silk fabric grafted with vinyl monomer by a weak alkaline
chemical agent such as sodium tripolyphosphate, hydrosulphite, or
Marseilles soap washing with water, drying, and thereafter clumping
under immersion in an organic solvent. The organic solvent may be a
low dielectric constant solvent e.g. tetrachloroethylene, mineral
terpene, or a dry cleaning liquid. The softening process of the
graft silk fabric is asserted to impart softness without using a
softening agent. The process is not apparently used to treat
bundles of manufactured clothing, and is not conducted in a home
appliance.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,251 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,209,
Unilever, do not relate to laundry processes. They describe a
process for production of fatty acid soaps comprising extracting
sludge (esp. sewage sludge which may be crude or activated, and/or
co-settled) of solids content >=15 wt. % with a non-polar
solvent to recover fatty materials which are then saponified in
presence of a dipolar aprotic solvent of dielectric
constant>=15.
[0012] See also by way of background numerous recently described
concentrated cleaning appliances, including those which use
silicones, fluorocabons, carbon dioxide and the like several of
these are referenced and adapted to the present purposes in the
disclosures hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention relates to a fabric article treatment
appliance capable of washing and drying fabric articles, wherein
the appliance is configured to use different predominant fluids
(such as water and a lipophilic cleaning fluid) in the washing
step.
[0014] The appliance of the present invention is capable of
performing an improved fabric treatment method involving a
predominant fluid switchover step. The fluid switchover method of
the present invention is also useful for reducing surfactant
carryover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The phrase "dry weight of a fabric article" as used herein
means the weight of a fabric article that has no intentionally
added fluid weight.
[0016] The phrase "absorption capacity of a fabric article" as used
herein means the maximum quantity of fluid that can be taken in and
retained by a fabric article in its pores and interstices.
Absorption capacity of a fabric article is measured in accordance
with the following Test Protocol for Measuring Absorption Capacity
of a Fabric Article.
[0017] The term "predominant fluid" as used herein refers to the
majority component of a liquid under operating conditions of a
laundering appliance. For example, in conventional dry-cleaning,
perchloroethylene is the predominant fluid. In conventional home
laundering, water is the predominant fluid. In some recently
developed processes, supercritical carbon dioxide, silicones or
perfluorocarbons are the predominant fluid. Carbon dioxide is a gas
under normal conditions but becomes a fluid suitable for cleaning
when compressed at high pressures. In applications included in
general in the present invention, e.g., microemulsion cleaning, a
predominant fluid need not be more than 50% of all fluids present.
For example, in a mixture of water and three other fluids, A, B,
and C, in the proportions water: 30%, B: 25%, C: 25%, D:20%, water
is by the present definition the predominant fluid. A fluid used in
treatment of fabric articles may moreover be a solvent or
nonsolvent for body soils. For example, processes are known which
use perfluorobutylamine as the predominant fluid. However,
perfluorobutylamine is a nonsolvent for body soils. A "lipophilic
cleaning fluid" as further defined hereinafter is a fluid having at
least the physical and safety characteristics of dry cleaning
fluids, which in addition is at least partially liquid at
atmospheric pressures and at least one temperature in the range
0.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. (in other words, carbon dioxide, air
and nitrogen, for example, are not included). Moreover a lipophilic
cleaning fluid as defined herein is at least partially a solvent
for body soils as defined in the test methods hereinafter (in other
words, perfluorobutylamine is excluded).
[0018] All percentages and proportions herein are by weight and
units are S.I units unless otherwise specifically indicated.
[0019] The invention has numerous advantages, for example, it
provides a much more convenient cleaning and refreshment capability
for the consumers, especially when the entire process can be
performed in a single laundering appliance.
[0020] Preferred processes herein do not include the use of dense
gas and especially involve a cleaning step or steps which are
either substantially aqueous or substantially nonaqueous, use
concentrated media, and, more preferably still, have low energy
requirement. This includes both immersive and non-immersive
concentrated process steps. The preferred processes include those
which are conducted without separating or grouping the fabric
articles by color or by type, i.e., mixed bundles of "dry-clean
only" and "machine washable" articles are treated in a preferred
process. Likewise, mixed bundles of colored and non-colored
articles are treated in a preferred process.
[0021] It will be observed that the present processes have in
common the at least partial removal of a predominant fluid after a
cleaning step, combined with the use of a lipophilic cleaning fluid
in at least one fabric refreshment step. Without being limited by
theory, it is believed that this combination does at least one, and
in preferred embodiments both of, (i) effectively canceling out
carryover effects of agents used in the cleaning step which
otherwise adversely affect the fabric refreshment step and (ii)
eliminating one or more shortcomings of current home dry cleaning
kits which, as conducted in tumble-dryers, require bags, have very
little fluid present, etc.
Test Protocol for Measuring the Absorption Capacity of a Fabric
Article
[0022] Step 1: Rinse and dry a reservoir or other container into
which a lipophilic fluid will be added. The reservoir is cleaned to
free it from all extraneous matter, particularly soaps, detergents
and wetting agents.
[0023] Step 2: Weigh a "dry" fabric article to be tested to obtain
the "dry" fabric article's weight.
[0024] Step 3: Pour 2 L of a lipophilic fluid at .about.20C into
the reservoir.
[0025] Step 4: Place fabric article from Step 2 into the lipophilic
fluid-containing reservoir.
[0026] Step 5: Agitate the fabric article within the reservoir to
ensure no air pockets are left inside the fabric article and it is
thoroughly wetted with the lipophilic fluid.
[0027] Step 6: Remove the fabric article from the lipophilic
fluid-containing reservoir.
[0028] Step 7: Unfold the fabric article, if necessary, so that
there is no contact between same or opposite fabric article
surfaces.
[0029] Step 8: Let the fabric article from Step 7 drip until the
drop frequency does not exceed 1 drop/sec.
[0030] Step 9: Weigh the "wet" fabric article from Step 8 to obtain
the "wet" fabric article's weight.
[0031] Step 10: Calculate the amount of lipophilic fluid absorbed
for the fabric article using the equation below. FA=(W-D)/D*100
where: FA=fluid absorbed, % (i.e., the absorption capacity of the
fabric article in terms of % by dry weight of the fabric article)
W=wet specimen weight, g D=initial specimen weight, g
[0032] By the term "non-immersive" it is meant that essentially all
of the fluid is in intimate contact with the fabric articles. There
is at most minimal amounts of "free" wash liquor. It is unlike an
"immersive" process where the washing fluid is a bath in which the
fabric articles are either submerged, as in a conventional vertical
axis washing machine, or plunged into, as in a conventional
horizontal washing machine. The term "non-immersive" is defined in
greater detail according to the following Test Protocol for
Non-Immersive Processes. A process in which a fabric article is
contacted by a fluid is a non-immersive process when the following
Test Protocol is satisfied.
Test Protocol for Non-Immersive Processes
[0033] Step 1: Determine absorption capacity of a fabric specimen
using Test Protocol for Measuring Absorption Capacity of a Fabric
Article, described above.
[0034] Step 2: Subject a fabric article to a fluid contacting
process such that a quantity of the fluid contacts the fabric
article.
[0035] Step 3: Place a dry fabric specimen from Step 1 in proximity
to the fabric article of Step 2 and move/agitate/tumble the fabric
article and fabric specimen such that fluid transfer from the
fabric article to the fabric specimen takes place (the fabric
article and fabric specimen must achieve the same saturation
level).
[0036] Step 4: Weigh the fabric specimen from Step 3.
[0037] Step 5: Calculate the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen
using the following equation: FA=(W-D)/D*100 where: FA=fluid
absorbed, % W=wet specimen weight, g D=initial specimen weight,
g
[0038] Step 6: Compare the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen
with the absorption capacity of the fabric specimen. The process is
non-immersive if the fluid absorbed by the fabric specimen is less
than about 0.8 of the absorption capacity of the fabric
specimen.
Appliances for Use With the Present Process
[0039] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process.
The process is carried out in the home of a consumer in a single
laundry appliance, and preferably is carried out using a mixed load
of fabric articles such as clothing articles having mixed textile
composition and/or mixed color.
[0040] In general, any suitable appliance can be used for the
present process. Typically, a suitable appliance can be one
dedicated for the process, or can be one which is the result of
modifying or retrofitting a known appliance so that it will conduct
the process.
[0041] The preferred type of appliance is one having dimensions
approximately compatible with current domestic washing-machines and
tumble dryers.
[0042] The present processes have in common the at least partial
removal of a predominant fluid, preferably water but also possibly
including other predominant fluids ranging from sub critical liquid
carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons or linear (see for example U.S. Pat.
No. 5,977,040 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,747) or cyclic silicones,
after a cleaning step, combined with the use of a particularly
selected lipophilic cleaning fluid in at least one fabric
refreshment step. In some embodiments, the present process also
includes a switchover of predominant fluids. In other embodiments,
the first and the second predominant fluids have a difference in
dielectric constant of at least about 10. Preferred embodiments can
also include single or progressive rinses in the presence of the
lipophilic cleaning fluid, between cleaning with a first
predominant fluid and fabric article refreshment in the presence of
the lipophilic cleaning fluid. Moreover, preferred embodiments can
include recovering and/or recycling the lipophilic cleaning
fluid.
[0043] The present process can for example be conducted in a
modified version of a home laundering appliance originally designed
for concentrated aqueous cleaning, see for example U.S. Pat. No.
4,489,455, Spendel. The minimum modification needed is to provide
storage and delivery means for the lipophilic fluid, which will be
used in addition to a first predominant fluid, water, in that
appliance. Further modification can include recovery means, at
minimum an additional storage tank, for spent fluid, but a
separator can also be incorporated to separate lipophilic cleaning
fluid from other materials, e.g., water and/or solid soils.
[0044] Likewise the present process can be conducted in a
purpose-built appliance, for example one of the non-immersive
purpose-built or modified appliances disclosed in copending cofiled
commonly assigned patent application Ser. No. 60/209,468, filed on
Jun. 5, 2000. Such a purpose built appliance can have advantages,
for example in overal minimizing use of the lipophilic cleaning
fluid, although the amount of lipophilic cleaning fluid will remain
well in excess of, for example, the amounts of organic solvents
used in current home dry-cleaning products the volume use of which
is constrained by current conventional tumble-driers.
[0045] Alternately the present process can be conducted in a
modified tumble-dryer, however, the tumble dryer will then have to
be extensively modified so as to allow for the use of both a first
predominant fluid and the lipophilic cleaning fluid. Tumble-dryers
are not, for example, conventionally plumbed to water and drain
lines.
[0046] In yet another suitable variation, the present process can
be conducted in modifications of new concentrated washing
appliances available in commerce from Whirlpool and others. See,
for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,370, U.S. Pat. No. 5,1991,27, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,191,669, U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,668, U.S. Pat. No.
5,167,722, U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,666 all assigned to Whirlpool. The
modifications needed are similar to those needed for the Spendel
appliance referred to supra.
[0047] Other suitable variations of appliances for use in the
present process include downsized versions of appliances originally
designed for dry-cleaning only or more particularly, commercial
dry-cleaning, including, but not limited to, dry-cleaning using
subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide. Such appliances
include those of the following references: FR2762623 A1, Whirlpool,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,155, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,211, U.S. Pat. No.
5,282,381 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,818, Raytheon and/or Hughes
Aircraft, WO200001871 A1, Fedegari Autoclavi, U.S. Pat. No.
5,3444,93, D. P. Jackson, JP11276795 A, NGK Insulators, EP828021 A
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,577, Air Liquide, DE4416785 A1, D. Kannert,
U.S. Pat. No. 5412958 and WO9401227 A1 Clorox.
[0048] Another variation of appliance that can be used in
conjunction with the present process is a downsized version of an
appliance as disclosed by Greenearth Inc., see for example the
following references: U.S. Pat. No.5,865,852, U.S. Pat.
No.5,942,007, U.S. Pat. No.6,042,617, U.S. Pat. 6,042,618, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,056,789, U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,845, U.S. Pat. No.
6,063,135. The Greenearth system in its current state is once again
primarily designed for commercial dry-cleaning. Modification of
such an appliance, which in fact uses a silicone which is a
suitable lipophilic cleaning fluid herein, will include the
provision of means to handle another predominant fluid, e.g.,
water.
[0049] Preferred appliances for use herein generally include those
having a perforated drum which can be used in a centrifuging mode,
preferably at the high end of, or higher than, the speeds and
G-force ranges of current leading-edge laundry appliances. In
accordance with the present invention, the fabric articles to be
treated and/or cleaned may be contacted with an impinging gas at
any time during the method of the present invention.
[0050] It is desirable that the fabric articles are contacted by an
impinging gas at least prior to applying the cleaning fluid. The
impinging gas facilitates the removal particulate soils from the
fabric articles. Particulate soils can be successfully removed
using gas flow. Particulate soils include any soil that is
comprised of discrete particles. Nonlimiting examples of such
particulate soils include clay, dust, dried mud, sand, cat fur,
skin flakes or scales, dander, dandruff, hair from people or pets,
grass seeds, pollen, burrs, and/or similar animal, mineral or
vegetable matter which is insoluble in water.
[0051] By utilizing the impinging gas, "demand" on chemicals in the
process for removing such particulate soils is reduced.
[0052] Typically, the impinging gas is flow from a gas source at a
rate of from about 10 l/s to about 70 l/s and the gas contacts the
fabric articles at a velocity of from about 1 m/s to about 155 m/s.
It is desirable to mechanically agitate the fabric articles while
the gas impinges on the fabric articles. Further, it is desirable
to remove the gas, and particulate soils in the gas from the fabric
articles at a rate sufficient to prevent the removed particulate
soils from re-depositing upon the fabric articles.
[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention the gas is
selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, ozone, oxygen,
argon, helium, neon, xenon, and mixtures thereof, more preferably
air, nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, argon, helium, and mixtures thereof,
even more preferably still air, ozone, nitrogen, and mixtures
thereof.
[0054] In another embodiment of the present invention the gas used
in the method can be varied over time. For example air could be
used at the start of the process, a mixture of air and ozone used
in the middle stages of the process and air or nitrogen could be
used at the end.
[0055] The gas used may be of any suitable temperature or humidity.
Heat could be supplied to the gas electrically or by passing the
gas over a gas flame, such as, is done in a conventional gas dryer.
However, room temperature and humidity gas are preferred.
[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention two or more gases
could be mixed in a mixing chamber before being used in the
process. In another aspect of this embodiment of the present
invention the gases could be delivered concurrently through
different entry points and mix in-situ in the walled vessel. In
another aspect of this embodiment of the present invention the
gases supplied could exist as mixture and would not require any
mixing chamber to achieve the required mixture of gas for the
process.
[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention the gas could be
available from storage, such as from pressurized containers.
Alternatively, the gas used in the process could be obtained from
the location where the process and device occur. For example, a
pump, blower, or the like, may be used to supply air from the
surrounding atmosphere for the process of the invention. A
combination of gas available from storage and from the atmosphere
is also envisioned.
[0058] In another embodiment of the present invention the gas can
be obtained from a compressor. The compressor may be any compressor
suitable for providing gas or gases, provided that they supply the
gas to the apparatus within the required velocity and flow rate
ranges. The compressors are linked to the gas inlet(s) by an
appropriate fixture, such as a hose, pipe, tap, fixture or
combinations thereof, to provide the inlet(s) with the gas or gases
within the required velocity and flow rate ranges. Some typical
compressors, which are suitable for providing gas or gases, include
rotary screw compressors or two-stage electrical compressor.
Another suitable type of compressor is the so-called "acoustical
compressor", such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,020,977,
5,051,066, 5,167,124, 5,319,938, 5,515,684, 5,231,337, and
5,357,757, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Typically, an acoustical compressor operates in the following
fashion: A gas is drawn into a pulse chamber, such as air from the
atmosphere, compressed, and then discharged as a high-pressure gas.
The gas is compressed by the compressor sweeping a localized region
of electromagnetic, for example microwaves, laser, infrared, radio
etc, or ultrasonic energy through the gas in the pulse chamber at
the speed of sound. This sweeping of the pulse chamber creates and
maintain a high-pressure acoustic pulse in the gas. These
acoustical compressors have many advantages over conventional
compressors. For example, they have no moving parts besides the
valves, operate without oil, and are much smaller than comparable
conventional compressors.
[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention the gas is
provided from a gas source at a rate of from about 10 l/s to about
70 l/s, more preferably, about 20 l/s to about 42 l/s, even more
preferably about 25 l/s to about 30 l/s. The gas flow rate is
measure by a flow meter place in the internal space of the vessel
close to where the gas enters the vessel containing the
clothes.
[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention the gas contacts
the fabric articles at a velocity of from about 1 m/s to about 155
m/s, more preferably, about 50 m/s to about 105 m/s even more
preferably about 75 m/s to about 105 m/s. The gas velocity is
measure by a flow meter place in the internal space of the vessel
close to where the gas enters the vessel containing the
clothes.
[0061] The velocity at which the gas contacts the fabric articles
and the flow rate of the gas are critical parameters. For example
insufficient velocity, means that the particulates are not removed
from the fabric articles. Too great a velocity and the fabric
articles are disrupted such that the fabric articles cannot be
agitated and the particulate soils cannot be removed. Similarly,
insufficient flow rate of the gas means that any particulate soils
removed remain and can be re-deposited on the fabric article after
cleaning.
Lipophilic Cleanin Fluids For Use With the Present Process:
Qualification Of Lipophilic Cleaning Fluid and Lipophilic Cleaning
Fluid Test (LCF Test).
[0062] Any non-aqueous fluid that is both capable of meeting known
requirements for a dry-cleaning fluid (e.g, flash point etc.) and
is capable of at least partially dissolving sebum is suitable as a
lipophilic fluid herein. The ability of a particular material to
remove sebum can be measured by any known technique. As a general
guideline, perfluorobutylamine (Fluorinert FC-43.RTM.) on its own
(with or without adjuncts) is a reference material which by
definition unsuitable as the lipophilic cleaning fluid herein (it
is essentially a nonsolvent) while linear and cyclic siloxanes such
as, but not limited to, D5 or other cyclopentasiloxanes, have
suitable sebum-dissolving properties and dissolve sebum.
[0063] The following is a preferred method for investigating and
qualifying other materials, e.g., other low-viscosity, free-flowing
silicones, for use as the lipophilic cleaning fluid. The method
uses commercially available Crisco.RTM. canola oil, oleic acid
(95%, Sigma Aldrich Co.) and squalene (99%, J. T. Baker) as model
soils for sebum. The test materials should be substantially
anhydrous and free from added cleaning adjuncts, or other adjuncts
during evaluation.
[0064] Prepare three vials. Place 1.0 g of Crisco canola oil in the
first; in a second vial place 1.0 g of oleic acid (95%), and in a
third and final vial place 1.0 g of squalene (99.9%). To each vial
add 1 g of the solvent or fluid to be tested for lipophilicity.
Separately mix at room temperature and pressure each vial
containing the lipophilic soil and the fluid to be tested for 20
seconds on a standard vortex mixer at maximum setting. Place vials
on the bench and allow to settle for 15 minutes at room temperature
and pressure. If, upon standing, a single phase is formed with any
one or more of the three lipophilic soils, then the fluid qualifies
as suitable for use as a "lipophilic cleaning fluid" (including a
garment treatment fluid for non-cleaning purposes) in accordance
with the invention. However, if two or more separate layers are
formed in all three vials, then the amount of fluid dissolved in
the oil phase will need to be further determined before rejecting
or accepting the fluid as qualified.
[0065] In such a case, with a syringe, carefully extract a sample
from each layer in each vial. The experiment can be adjusted in
scale, if needed, for example such that about 200 microliter
samples can be taken. The syringe-extracted layer samples are
placed in GC autosampler vials and subjected to conventional GC
analysis after determining the retention time of calibration
samples of each of the three models soils and the fluid being
tested. If more than 1% of the test fluid by GC, preferably
greater, is found to be present in a syringe-sampled layer, then
the test fluid is also qualified for use as a lipophilic cleaning
fluid. If needed, the method can be further calibrated using
heptacosafluorotributylamine, i.e., Fluorinert FC-43 (fail) and
cyclopentasiloxane (pass).
[0066] A suitable GC is a Hewlett Packard Gas Chromatograph HP5890
Series II equipped with a split/splitless injector and FID. A
suitable column used in determining the amount of lipophilic fluid
present is a J&W Scientific capillary column DB-1HT, 30 meter,
0.25 mm id, 0.1 um film thickness cat# 1221131. The GC is suitably
operated under the following conditions:
[0067] Carrier Gas: Hydrogen
[0068] Column Head Pressure: 9 psi
[0069] Flows: Column Flow @ .about.1.5 ml/min. [0070] Split Vent @
.about.250-500 ml/min. [0071] Septum Purge @ 1 ml/min.
[0072] Injection: HP 7673 Autosampler, 10 ul syringe, 1 ul
injection
[0073] Injector Temperature: 350.degree. C.
[0074] Detector Temperature: 380.degree. C.
[0075] Oven Temperature Program: initial 60.degree. C. hold 1 min.
[0076] rate 25.degree. C./min. [0077] final 380.degree. C. hold 30
min.
[0078] Preferred Lipophilic Cleaning Fluids suitable for use herein
can further be qualified for use on the basis of having an
excellent garment care profile. Garment care profile testing is
well known in the art and involves testing a fluid to be qualified
using a wide range of garment or fabric article components,
including fabrics, threads and elastics used in seams, etc., and a
range of buttons. Preferred lipophilic cleaning fluids for use
herein have an excellent garment care profile, for example they
have a good shrinkage or fabric puckering profile and do not
appreciably damage plastic buttons. For purposes of garment care
testing or other qualification, e.g., flammability, a primary
solvent for use in the lipophilic cleaning fluid can be present in
a mixture, e.g., with water, at approximately the ratio to be used
in the final cleaning fluid which will come into contact with
fabric articles in the appliance. Certain materials which in sebum
removal qualify for use lipophilic cleaning fluids, for example
ethyl lactate, can be quite objectionable in their tendency to
dissolve buttons, and if such a material is to be used in the
lipophilic cleaning fluid, it will be formulated with water and/or
other solvents such that the overall mix is not substantially
damaging to buttons. D5, for example, meets the garment care
requirements quite admirably.
[0079] A highly preferred group of lipophilic cleaning fluids
includes linear and cyclic siloxanes having a normal boiling point
of from about 180 deg. C. to about 250 deg. C. and a viscosity of
no more than about 10 cS, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether,
diproplyene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether
and mixtures thereof. Such fluids can be further modified.
[0080] Lipophilic solvents can include linear and cyclic
polysiloxanes, hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. More
preferred are the linear and cyclic polysiloxanes and hydrocarbons
of the glycol ether, acetate ester, lactate ester families.
Preferred lipophilic solvents include cyclic siloxanes having a
boiling point at 760 mm Hg. of below about 250.degree. C.
Specifically preferred cyclic siloxanes for use in this invention
are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and
dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. Preferably, the cyclic siloxane
comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5, pentamer) and is
substantially free of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer) and
dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer).
[0081] However, it should be understood that useful cyclic siloxane
mixtures might contain, in addition to the preferred cyclic
siloxanes, minor amounts of other cyclic siloxanes including
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or
higher cyclics such as tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane. Generally
the amount of these other cyclic siloxanes in useful cyclic
siloxane mixtures will be less than about 10 percent based on the
total weight of the mixture. The industry standard for cyclic
siloxane mixtures is that such mixtures comprise less than about 1%
by weight of the mixture of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.
[0082] Accordingly, the lipophilic fluid of the present invention
preferably comprises more than about 50%, more preferably more than
about 75%, even more preferably at least about 90%, most preferably
at least about 95% by weight of the lipophilic fluid of
decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Alternatively, the lipophilic fluid
may comprise siloxanes which are a mixture of cyclic siloxanes
having more than about 50%, preferably more than about 75%, more
preferably at least about 90%, most preferably at least about 95%
up to about 100% by weight of the mixture of
decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and less than about 10%, preferably
less than about 5%, more preferably less than about 2%, even more
preferably less than about 1%, most preferably less than about 0.5%
to about 0% by weight of the mixture of
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and/or
dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.
Optional Process Technologies Having Cleaning Effect
[0083] Process technologies where not otherwise specifically
mentioned and optionally used with the present invention that have
known cleaning effect can vary widely and include ozonizers,
ultrasonic devices, electrolysis devices and ion exchange
columns.
Optional Process Technologies Having Other Than Cleaning Effect
[0084] Process technologies where not otherwise specifically
mentioned and optionally used with the present invention that have
primarily other than cleaning effect include especially control
technologies including automatic dispensers, safety-related
technologies, noise control technologies, and energy and loopback
process control technologies involving sensing a parameter and
adjusting the process in function of the result detected.
Solvents
[0085] Where not specifically included in other components of the
present invention, solvents can be used in variable proportion to
adjust the compositions or to provide dilution at the point of use.
Solvents include both polar and apolar, high-dielectric constant
and low-dielectric constant, protic and aprotic types. Solvents
include water, linear and cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, alcohols,
ethers, esters, ketones, mixed functional group solvents such as
glycol ethers, fluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, azeotropic
solvent mixtures, and the like.
Adjunct Ingredients
[0086] Adjunct materials for use in conjunction with processes and
compositions herein can vary widely and can be used at widely
ranging levels, for example from about 0.0001 ppm to about 20% when
diluted at the final point of use in the process. Catalytic and/or
colored adjuncts, such as dyes, are often present in use at the
lower end of the level range, whereas low molecular weight
noncatalytic materials are often, but not necessarily generally,
used at higher levels. Where not specifically indicated, adjuncts
will in general be used in level ranges known from the art.
[0087] Adjuncts include detersive enzymes such as proteases,
amylases, cellulases, lipases and the like, as well as other
catalytic materials, e.g., bleach catalysts, including the
macrocyclic types having manganese or similar transition
metals.
[0088] Adjunct materials which are catalytic, for example enzymes,
can be used in "forward" or "reverse" modes, a discovery
independently useful from the specific appliances of the present
invention. 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 their solubility in the
lipophilic cleaning fluid. This is a "reverse" operation, in
contrast with the normal use of this hydrolase in water to convert
a less water soluble fatty ester to a more water-soluble material.
In any event, any adjunct ingredient must be suitable for use in
combination with the lipophilic fluid.
[0089] Suitable cleaning additives include, but are not limited to,
amines and alkanolamines including the lower alkanolamines
specifically including TEA, MDEA and/or MEA, amphophilic polymers
where not elsewhere included, aesthetics modifiers, antibacterial
agents including but not limited to diclosan, triclosan,
5-chlorosalicylanilide, and various other salicylanilide
derivatives, antifungal agents, anti-graying agents, anti-oxidants
including water-soluble types such as ascorbic acid and lower-water
soluble types such as sterically hindered aromatics including but
not limited to BHT, antiparasitic agents, anti-redeposition agents,
anti-tarnishing agents, biological control agents other than
families specifically recited herein, bleach activators including
in particular hydrophobic (more particularly including NOBS and its
lower and higher homologs) and cationic or zwitterionic types,
bleach boosters, bleach catalysts, bleaches (including oxidizing
and reducing types, more particularly including
phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid or PAP, magnesium monoperoxyphthalate
and/or DPDA (bleaches are further discussed, for example, in M. E.
Burns, Surfactant Sci. Ser. (1998), 71(Powdered Detergents),
165-203), boosters for suds or foam, buffering agents for acidity,
buffering agents for alkalinity, builders, catalytic antibodies,
cellulose and/or chitin derivatives, chaotropic agents, chelants
for heavy metal ions including S,S'-EDDS, DTPA, HEDP, conventional
di- and tri-phosphonates, and hydrophobic variants of any of said
chelants, clays including laponite and other hectorites, bentonites
and/or montmorillonites; colorants, corrosion inhibitors, coupling
agents, crystal growth inhibitors, demulsifiers or
emulsion-breakers, diamines, polyamines and/or their alkoxylates,
dispersants including but not limited to alkenyl succinic
anhydrides and/or Ircosperse 2175 and 2176 available from Lubrizol,
divalent or trivalent ions, dye transfer inhibitors, dyes,
electrolytes, emulsifiers, enzyme stabilizers, enzymes, fabric
softening agents, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, finishing aids,
fluorescent agents, foam or suds stabilizing agents, humectants,
hydrotropes, insect repellents, lime soap dispersants, metal ion
salts, minerals, naturally derived, e.g., botanical adjuncts or
actives, non-chelating sequestrants for metal ions, odor control
agents, odor neutralizers, optical brighteners, perfumes, pH
control agents, photobleaches, polyelectrolytes, processing aids,
pro-perfumes, rheology modifiers other than thickeners, e.g.,
thinners, skin emollients and/or other dermatological benefit
agents, soil release polymers, soil repellants, solvent
stabilizers, suppressors for suds or foams, surfactants, textile
absorbency modifiers, textile sensory modifiers, thickeners,
virucidal agents, waterproofing agents, wetting agents,
charge-balancing ions, stabilizers, benefit agents and other
drycleaning or laundering adjuncts other than those included in the
foregoing, and mixtures thereof.
Surfactants For Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Cleaning
[0090] Surfactants, hydrotropes, emulsifiers or wetting agents
used, for example, in the cleaning step of the present process, may
in general be anionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric /
zwitterionic and can have a linear, slightly branched (including,
but not limited to, mid chain monomethyl mid and 2-position methyl
branched), substantially branched, cyclic, or polycyclic
hydrophobic moiety. Hydrotropes and wetting agents will generally
have shorter chains or hydrophobic moieties comprising fewer atoms
in total. Surfactants will have a wide range of total number of
atoms, e.g., carbon atoms, in their hydrophobes, for example from
about 6 to about 20, depending on whether rapid kinetics at low
temperature, or maximum equilibrium effect in surface tension
reduction are required. Surfactants useful herein will likewise
encompass a wide range of surfactant parameter, depending for
example on whether they are required to be interfacially active at
a water phase boundary or at a non-aqueous phase boundary.
Emulsifiers can be monomeric or polymeric, are often selected from
nonionic surfactants having emulsifying properties, and can have a
wide range of HLB.
[0091] Other surfactants suitable for use herein include: (i)
surfactant or surface-active polymer exhibiting surfactancy in
water and having at least one mid-chain branched, Lial or
Guerbet-branched hydrophobe; (ii) surfactant or surface-active
polymer exhibiting surfactancy in carbon dioxide and having at
least one mid-chain branched, Lial or Guerbet-branched hydrophobe;
and (iii) mixtures thereof.
[0092] Preferred surfactants for use herein are mixtures of two or
more surfactants, and include in one preferred embodiment, a
surfactant mixture which comprises a surfactant other than a
nonionic surfactant, typically this is an anionic surfactant.
[0093] Surfactants useful herein can come from broadly differing
classes, for example recitals of surfactants for use in aqueous
laundering are ubiquitous in patents of Procter and Gamble,
Unilever, Henkel, Colgate, Kao, Lion and other assignees. These are
not, however, the only types of surfactants useful in the present
process.
[0094] Another family of surfactants is that selected for use in
conventional drycleaning. Such a family of surfactants commonly
includes types, such as dialkylsulfosuccinates, certain phosphate
esters having one or two hydrophobes, acid forms of surfactant,
ammonium salts of conventional anionic surfactants, and even oils
such as fatty alcohols, which are unusual as or are simply not used
as surfactants in conventional aqueous detergency. For example,
illustrative of anionic surfactants reapplicable herein but
generally of types disclosed for use in dry-cleaning include
dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate,
potassium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzene
sulfonate, morpholinium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, ammonium
dodecylbenzene sulfonate, isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate,
sodium tridecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dinonylbenzene sulfonate,
potassium didodecylbenzene sulfonate, dodecyl diphenyloxide
disulfonic acid, sodium dodecyl diphenyloxide disulfonate,
isopropylamine decyl diphenyloxide disulfonate, sodium
hexadecyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethyl sulfonate, potassium
octylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (9)ethyl sulfonate, sodium alpha
olefin sulfonate, sodium hexadecane-1 sulfonate, sodium ethyl
oleate sulfonate, potassium octadecenyl-succinate, sodium oleate,
potassium laurate, triethanolamine myristate, morpholinium tallate,
potassium tallate, sodium lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl
sulfate, sodium laureth (3) sulfate, ammonium laureth (2) sulfate,
sodium nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (4) sulfate, sodium
diisobutylsulfosuccinate, disodium lauryl-sulfosuccinate,
tetrasodium N-laurylsulfosuccinimate, sodium
decyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy(5)methyl)carboxylate, sodium
octylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy(8)methyl)-carboxylate, sodium mono
decyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (4)phosphate, sodium di
decyloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (6)phosphate, and potassium mono/di
octylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (9)phosphate. Other anionic
surfactants known in the art may also be employed.
[0095] Among the useful nonionic surfactants which may be employed
are octylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (11)ethanol,
nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (1 3)ethanol,
dodecylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethanol, polyoxyethylene (12)
lauryl alcohol, polyoxyethylene (14) tridecyl alcohol,
lauryloxypoly(ethyleneoxy) (10)ethyl methyl ether,
undecylthiopoly(ethyleneoxy) (12) ethanol, methoxypoly
(oxyethylene(10)/(oxypropylene(20))-2-propanol block co-polymer,
nonyloxypoly(propyleneoxy) (4)/(ethyleneoxy) (16)ethanol, dodecyl
polyglycoside, polyoxyethylene (9) monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (8)
monoundecanoate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate,
polyoxyethylene (18) sorbitol monotallate, sucrose monolaurate,
lauryldimethylamine oxide, myristyldimethylamine oxide,
lauramidopropyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, 1:1 lauric diethanolamide,
1:1 coconut diethanolamide, 1:1 mixed fatty acid diethanolamide,
polyoxyethylene(6)lauramide, 1:1 soya
diethanolamidopoly(ethyleneoxy) (8) ethanol, and coconut
diethanolamide. Other known nonionic surfactants may likewise be
used.
[0096] Illustrative useful cationic surfactants include a mixture
of n-alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides,
hexadecyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, didecyldimethylammonium
bromide and a mixture of n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium
chlorides. Similarly useful amphoteric surfactants include
cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium palmityloamphopropionate, N-coco
beta-aminopropionic acid, disodium N-lauryliminodipropionate,
sodium coco imidazoline amphoglycinate and coco betaine. Other
cationic and amphoteric surfactants known to the art may also be
utilized.
[0097] Additional surfactant classes which are useful in the
practice of the present invention are surface-active polymers and
surfactants which comprise at least one CO.sub.2-philic moiety and
at least one CO.sub.2-phobic moiety, or other surfactants known for
use in supercritical fluid cleaning. See, for example, Supercrit.
Fluid Clean. (1998), 87-120 and references therein. Such surfactant
classes are well known in commerce, and are conveniently but
nonexhaustively listed in patent publications such as: U.S. Pat.
No. 5,683,977, Unilever; U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,133, Micell; U.S. Pat.
No. 5,789,505, Air Products.
Fabric Softeners
[0098] Fabric softeners or conditioners useful herein can have
linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrophobes and can
include certain amines, quaternary amines, or protonated amines, or
mixtures thereof. Such materials particularly include diesters of
diethanolammonium chlorides (I), sometimes termed "diester quats";
dialkyl imidazoline esters (II) or the corresponding amides wherein
NH replaces O in formula (II), diesters of triethanolammonium
methylsulfates (III), ester amide-tertiary amines sometimes termed
amidoamineesters (IV), esteramide-quaternary amine chloride salts
(V), and diesters of dihydroxypropyl ammonium chlorides (VI).
##STR1##
[0099] Fabric softeners of structure (I) can, for example, be the
product of reacting hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid,
canola acid or other unsaturated acids of varying iodine number
with N-methyldiethanolamine followed by quaternizing with methyl
halide, or more generally, any suitable alkylating agents, e.g.,
dimethylsulfate, in isopropanol, ethanol or other suitable
solvents. Fabric softeners of structure (II) can, for example, be
prepared by reacting hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid,
canola acid or other unsaturated acids of varying iodine number
with aminoethylethanolamine in the presence of a suitable catalyst
and further catalytically ring-closing converting the resulting
intermediate. The corresponding amides wherein NH replaces O in
formula (II) can be prepared analogously by substituting
diethylenetriamine for aminoethylethanolamine. Fabric softeners of
structure (III) can be prepared similarly to those of structure (I)
substituting triethanolamine for N-methyldiethanolamine, however
complex mixtures of monoester, diester shown in structure (III),
and triester are typical. Fabric softeners of structure (IV) can be
prepared from the amine
HO(CH.sub.2).sub.2N(CH.sub.3)(CH.sub.2).sub.3 in turn prepared from
N-methylethanolamine, H.sub.2C.dbd.C(H)CN and hydrogen over a
nickel catalyst. The amine is reacted with hard or soft tallow
fatty acid, oleic acid, canola acid or other unsaturated acids of
varying iodine number. Fabric softeners of structure (V) are
prepared by quaternizing those of structure (IV). Fabric softeners
of structure (VI) can, for example, be prepared by reacting
epichlorohydrin with dimethylamine to produce
3-dimethylamino-1,2-propanediol followed by reacting the latter in
the presence of a catalyst with hard or soft tallow fatty acid,
oleic acid, canola acid or another unsaturated fatty acid of
varying iodine number and quaternizing the product in the art-known
manner. Other variations include amido analogs wherein NH replaces
the in-chain --O-- in structure (III). These can be prepared
reacting hard or soft tallow fatty acid, oleic acid, canola acid or
other unsaturated acids of varying iodine number with
N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)ethylenediamine in the presence
of a catalyst and reacting the intermediate product with
(CH.sub.3O).sub.2SO.sub.2 in isopropanol or ethanol. Older fabric
softeners include the conventional ditallowdimethylammonium
chloride and ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate, prepared by
reacting tallow alcohols with methylamine in the presence of a
catalyst and quaternizing the intermediate dialkylmethylamine.
Alternatively the intermediate can be reacted with 2-ethylhexanal
first under dehydrating conditions, then in presence of hydrogen
and a nickel catalyst to form an intermediate
ethylhexyl-substituted tallowmethylamine which is then quaternized
in the customary manner. More generally, any fabric softener active
prepared from a fatty source, and preferably the biodegradable
types, is useful herein. For recent reviews, see J. Surfactants
Deterg. (1999), 2(2), 223-235 and Surfactant Sci. Ser. (1997),
67(Liquid Detergents), 433-462 and the numerous patent and other
literature references therein. The fabric softener components
herein can be formulated at widely ranging levels, for example from
0.001% to 10% by weight with a preferred level of fabric softening
components from 1% to 5% by weight of a composition prior to final
in-situ dilution in use. Commercial suppliers of fabric softeners
include Stepan, Witco, Akzo, Clariant, Henkel and others.
Physical Form of Formulated Compositions
[0100] Compositions useful in conjunction with the processes of the
present invention can have any suitable physical form as
formulated, including powders, granules, tablets, liquids, gels,
pastes, liquids or gels in dissolvable containers, and composite
types, for example tablets with liquid, paste or gel inserts.
Compositions for use herein can moreover be formulated in
multicompartment containers.
Point-of-Use Compositions
[0101] In view of the fact that certain compositions herein can be
prepared in the appliance using dosing or mixing systems to combine
ingredients at the point of use, point-of-use compositions are
defined herein as any composition formed in-situ by mixing two or
more formulation components. Point-of-use compositions for use in
the present process are encompassed in the present invention.
Phase Structure
[0102] Compositions useful herein, whether to be sold in
pre-prepared form or as prepared by mixing ingredients at the point
of use, can have widely varying phase structure. This includes
emulsions, microemulsions, dispersions, and macroemulsions having a
range of stability.
Preferred Compositions
[0103] In the following examples, all percentages are by weight
unless specifically indicated.
EXAMPLE 1
Fabric Article Refreshment Composition
[0104] One particularly preferred composition for use herein, which
can be preformulated on prepared in-situ as a "point of use"
composition for fabric article refreshment, is a composition
comprising: 2000-3000 ppm of a fabric softener, preferably a
diesterquat mixture having as principal component, for example,
more than about 30% of the compound of structure (III) supra,
derived from canola, rapeseed or the like and having an iodine
value of about 40 or higher; such materials are commercially
available from Witco or Akzo; 1% of a coupling solvent, e.g., an
alcohol, in a preferred example ethanol; and the balance, i.e.,
98%+ of the composition, as lipophilic fluid, is cyclopentasiloxane
e.g., D5 available from General Electric.
EXAMPLE 2
Fabric Article Refreshment Composition
[0105] In another suitable composition, as compared with Example 1,
the level of fabric softener is increased to about 2% to about 3%
by weight and dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (Proglyde DMM,
Dow). is used as lipophilic fluid instead of D5, at a level of
about 97%.
EXAMPLE 3
Perfumed And/Or Colored Variants
[0106] In each of the above examples, optionally but preferably,
about 0.01% to about 0.5% of the lipophilic fluid can be replaced
by perfume and/or colorant.
EXAMPLE 4
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0107] Another preferred composition for use herein, which can be
preformulated on prepared in-situ as a "point of use" composition
for fabric article cleaning is a composition comprising:
TABLE-US-00001 Cyclopentasiloxane, GE Silicone Fluid SF-1528 50% GE
Silicone Fluid SF-1488 50%
EXAMPLE 5
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0108] TABLE-US-00002 Tergitol 15-S-9 59.5% C11.8 LAS, TEA
neutralized 20% 1,2 hexane diol 0.5% water 20%
EXAMPLE 6
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0109] This example is to illustrate an aqueous cleaning
composition used in one embodiment of the process of the invention,
in which first an aqueous cleaning system is used and then a
lipophilic cleaning fluid-containing composition is used.
Concentrated Aqueous System:
[0110] Liquid Tide High Efficiency or Liquid Tide (2-8%) and water
(balance, or a mixture of ethyl lactate and water 20:80 by
weight)
[0111] Lipophilic Cleaning Fluid Refreshment System:
COMPOSITION OF EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 7
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0112] TABLE-US-00003 D5 cyclopentasiloxane 85% Water 10% GE
Silicone Fluid SF-1528 2.5% GE Silicone Fluid SF-1488 2.5%
EXAMPLE 8
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0113] TABLE-US-00004 C12 fatty methyl ester 87.4% Tergitol 15-S-9
7.5% C11.8 LAS, TEA neutralized 2.5% 1,2 hexane diol 0.06% water
balance
where LAS is linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid TEA is
triethanolamine
EXAMPLE 9
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0114] TABLE-US-00005 Ethyl lactate 85% 90% water 14.8% 9.8% Liquid
Tide HE 0.2% 0.2%
EXAMPLE 10
Fabric Article Cleaning Composition
[0115] TABLE-US-00006 dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether 85%
Tergitol 15-S-9 3.7% C11.8 LAS, TEA neutralized 1.3% water 10%
where LAS is linear alkyl benzene sulfonate TEA is
triethanolamine
EXAMPLE 11
Fabric Article Cleaning and Refreshment Composition Kit
[0116] Package varying amounts of the compositions and/or any
individual ingredients and/or mixtures of ingredients of any of the
above Examples in separate bottles with an applied shrink-wrap and
usage instructions.
[0117] 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.
[0118] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be apparent 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.
[0119] It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all
such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this
invention.
* * * * *