U.S. patent number 3,916,652 [Application Number 05/373,697] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-04 for washing machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Peter Roscoe Hartley Speakman.
United States Patent |
3,916,652 |
Speakman |
November 4, 1975 |
Washing machine
Abstract
A machine for washing textile materials is provided with a
source of visible light which irradiates the wash liquor containing
a photoactivator and the textiles therein, providing a means for
removing stains from the textiles.
Inventors: |
Speakman; Peter Roscoe Hartley
(Newcastle-upon-Tyne, EN) |
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company (Cincinnati, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23473491 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/373,697 |
Filed: |
June 26, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/13R;
68/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C11D
3/0063 (20130101); D06F 35/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C11D
3/00 (20060101); D06F 35/00 (20060101); D06F
039/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;68/13R,15,16
;134/105 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Coe; Philip R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Witte; R. C. Lackenbach; E. A.
Collins; F. L.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A machine for washing textile materials comprising a vessel for
holding an aqueous wash liquor containing photoactivators and the
textiles to be washed, means for providing relative movement
between the wash liquor and the textiles, and at least one source
of visible light secured to the machine and directed so as to
irradiate at least part of the wash liquor and textiles, the said
light source having a power of at least 100 watts, and emitting
light of a wavelength of at least 640 nm.
2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a
tungsten filament light bulb of at least 100 watt power.
3. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is a
quartz lamp of at least 100 watt power.
4. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is
mounted in a side wall of the vessel and is submerged in the wash
liquor in use.
5. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is
mounted on a closure lid thereof.
6. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is
mounted externally to a side wall of the vessel and directed to
irradiate the contents therein.
7. A machine according to claim 1 which additionally comprises
means for controlling the wash liquor at desired temperatures.
8. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is
mounted in a bottom wall of the vessel and is submerged in the wash
liquor in use.
9. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the light source is
mounted externally to a bottom wall of the vessel and directed to
irradiate the contents therein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine for washing textile
materials.
My co-pending patent application Ser. No. 259,236, filed June 2,
1972, and now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference, relates
to a process for removing stains from textiles which comprises
treating the textiles in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, with
an aqueous liquor containing at least one alkaline detergency
builder salt and a minor amount of a photoactivator selected from
the group consisting of eosin, rose bengal, fluorescein,
chlorophyll, metal-free porphyrin and, preferably, sulphonated zinc
phthalocyanine, the textiles being irradiated during the treatment
with visible light, which includes light of wavelength at least 640
nanometers (nm). The process is conveniently carried out in
combination with a washing process using a detergent composition
comprising an organic detergent, alkaline builder salts and a
photoactivator as defined above, the textiles being irradiated with
visible light during a combined washing and bleaching process. This
is accomplished by exposing the fabric to sunlight or a suitable
artificial light in the washing solution or in a separate step in
which fabrics wet with a solution containing a photoactivator and
an alkaline detergency builder salt are exposed to sunlight or a
suitable artificial light.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine
for washing textile materials with a source of visible light
directed to irradiate the wash liquor.
Another object of this invention is to provide a process for
washing textile materials in a machine with a source of visible
light directed to irradiate the wash liquor, said wash liquor
containing at least one alkaline detergency builder salt and an
effective amount of a photoactivator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention a machine for washing textile
materials is provided with a source of visible light which
irradiates the wash liquor containing a photoactivator and the
textiles therein, providing a means for removing stains from the
textiles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1-3 are schematic perspective illustrations of top loading,
tub-type washing machines embodying the present invention, and
FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevational cross-sectional illustration
of a front loading, tumbling-type washing machine embodying the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention a machine for washing textile
materials comprises a vessel adapted to hold an aqueous wash liquor
containing photoactivators and the textiles to be washed, means for
providing relative movement between the wash liquor and the
textiles, and at least one visible light source secured to the
machine by any convenient means and adapted to irradiate at least
part of the wash liquor and the textiles when in the vessel, the
said light source having a power of at least 100 watts and emitting
light of wavelength 640 nm. and higher.
Preferably the machine also comprises means for controlling the
wash liquor temperature at a desired value, such as heating means.
When the aforementioned light source is submerged in the wash
liquor it also can be a source of heating.
The washing machine may have the features of any suitable type of
domestic or commercial washing machine, for example, a fixed tub
machine 10, 10' and 10" (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) in which the contents of
the tub 12, 12' or 12" respectively, are agitated by a paddle or
pulsator 14 or a tumbler type machine 16 (FIG. 4) in which a
perforated cylinder 18 containing the articles to be washed
revolves within a fixed cylinder 20 which holds the washing
liquor.
In the case of the fixed tub machine 10, 10' or 10", the light
source which may comprise one or more lamps 22 each suitably
encased in a waterproof container container 24, can be mounted in
the side wall 26 (as shown in FIG. 1) or the bottom wall 28 (as
shown in FIG. 2) of the vessel or tub 12 or 12' wherein such
submerged light source additionally provides a source of heat for
the wash liquor.
Another alternative, shown in FIG. 3, is to construct the lid 30 of
the fixed tub machine at least in part of transparent glass or
plastics material and the light source may comprise one or more
lamps 22 above the lid mounted externally to a side or bottom wall
of the vessel so as to irradiate the contents of the tub 10 through
the glass or plastics material. In the case of a tumble type or
revolving cylinder machine 16 (as shown in FIG. 4), one end (32 and
34, respectively) of both the interior or perforated cylinder 18
and the exterior or fixed cylinder 20 may be constructed wholly or
partly of the transparent material, the lamps 22 being mounted
externally to irradiate the contents of one or both cylinders.
Front loading tumbling machines frequently have a transparent door
36 and one or more lamps 22 may be conveniently mounted in front of
the door, so that light is directed through the transparent door 36
into the drum 18.
Incandescent tungsten filament lamps are often suitable. An
especially suitable light source is a quartz lamp having an iodine
coated tungsten filament. Preferably the lamps should have
reflectors to direct the light into the wash liquor. A commercial
example of a quartz lamp is that sold by General Electric under the
model number GE Q 250 PAR 38 (G.E. quartz lamp 250 watt parabolic
aluminized reflector 0.38 inch).
It has been found that for domestic washing machines of 5-14
gallons capacity which take loads of 4-10 lb. of textiles, a
suitable intensity of illumination is obtained by using from one to
four 150 watt to 250 watt tungsten filament reflector lamps.
Alternatively, from one to four 250 watt quartz lamps may also be
used.
Very effective cleaning and stain removal of household cotton goods
may be obtained in a fixed tub domestic washing machine of 8
gallons capacity with the front metal panel of the tub replaced by
a sheet of plate glass and a battery of four 250 watt tungsten
filament reflector bulbs mounted immediately outside the glass
panel.
The invention also provides a method of removing stains from
textiles which comprises washing the textiles in a machine
according to the invention by means of a wash liquor containing a
photoactivated cleaner (e.g., a bleach) while irradiating at least
part of the wash liquor and the textiles with at least one light
source having a power of at least 100 watts and emitting light of
wavelength at least 640 nm.
The invention is illustrated by the following Examples.
EXAMPLE I
Four standard tea-stained cotton swatches each 21/2" .times. 21/2"
were washed with a 3 lb. load of normal soiled laundry in an 8
gallon Hoover, single-tub washing machine, of which the front panel
of the tub was replaced by a sheet of plate glass with four 250
watt tungsten filament lamps mounted immediately outside the glass
so as to irradiate the wash liquor. The wash liquor was of tap
water (15 grains/gal.) and contained 0.5% by weight of a granular
detergent of the composition set out below. Washing was carried out
at 120.degree.F for 30 minutes under constant illumination from the
four 250 watt lamps.
The washing powder had the following composition by weight: Sodium
dodecyl (linear) benzene sulphonate 17.6% Sodium toluene sulphonate
1.8 Sodium tripolyphosphate 46.2 Sodium silicate 7.3 Coconut fatty
acid monoethanolamide 1.9 Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 1.0
Ethylene diamine tetracarboxylic acid, Na salt 0.3 Perfume 0.1
Moisture 10.0 Sodium sulphate balance
The washing was repeated with the amounts of photoactivator and
cleaner (sodium perborate) shown in the following table, the
amounts being by weight of the wash liquor. The degree of stain
removal is shown in the table.
______________________________________ Photoactivator Sodium
perborate % Stain removal ______________________________________ 2
ppm. 0.1% 72% 10 ppm. 0.1% 95% 10 ppm. 0 71% 0 0 40%
______________________________________
The photoactivator was sulphonated zinc phthalocyanine.
EXAMPLE II
Preparation of Cotton Strips
Cotton muslin cloth (180 thread counts per inch), fabric brightener
free, is cut into 4" .times. 5 foot strips. Ten such strips are
washed twice (one deep rinse between washings) with a fabric
brightener-free heavy duty detergent. 17 gallons of city water is
used (10 grains per gal.) at a temperature of 140.degree.F and the
product concentration is 0.25%. The strips are thoroughly rinsed (3
deep rinses) in cool water and dried at medium heat in a steam
dryer.
Preparation of Black Tea-Stained Strips
To 5 liters of city water is added 5 ounces of Lichee's black tea
(grown in Formosa and processed in Hong Kong by the Ying Mee Tea
Company) in a Pyrex vessel. The water is brought to a boil and
allowed to simmer for 90 minutes with occasional stirring. The tea
brew is then strained through a double cheese cloth and poured back
into the vessel and enough hot water is added to bring the tea brew
to the 5 liter mark. Five 4" .times. 5 foot strips of muslin
previously washed as above, are placed in the vessel and the tea
brew is boiled again for 90 minutes with occasional stirring. The
cotton strips are then simultaneously carefully rinsed in a large
bucket, without swishing, containing 3 gallons of cool water, run
through a padder roll under 5 lbs. of pressure and hung on a
portable dryer. After drying the strips are then placed in a
120.degree.F room for 24 hours. The strips are not allowed to come
into contact with any metal during the complete process. The strips
are then ironed flat with a medium cool iron.
Stain Removal Test
A 17 gallon capacity Lady Kenmore wringer type fixed tub machine
was modified by securing to the sides of the tub and about 1/2 inch
from the bottom, four 250 watt quartz lamps each suitably encased
in a watertight container with a glass lens. 35 liters (enough to
cover the light sources) of city water (10 grains per gallon) and
140 grams of fabric brightener-free granular detergent of the
following composition was added for each test run.
______________________________________ Sodium dodecyl (branded)
benzene sulphonate 26.2% Sodium toluene sulphonate 2.5 Sodium
tripolyphosphate 34.4 Sodium silicate (SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O ratio
= 2.0) 6.7 H.sub.2 O 7.8 Sodium sulfate + minors (omitting fabric
brightener) balance ______________________________________
The cloth load consisted of four 4" .times. 9" black tea-stained
cotton strips as prepared above and three 6" .times. 6" unstained
cotton strips. The total weight of the cloth load was about 20
grams.
Eighteen washing conditions were performed: at starting
temperatures of 75.degree.F, 100.degree.F, and 120.degree.F and at
washing times of 30 min., 45 min., and 60 minutes under constant
illumination. At each condition one run was made with no
photoactivator present and another run was made with 1 ppm
sulphonated zinc phthalocyanine present. All the washings were
repeated so each condition was done twice.
During the washing the wash liquor temperature was observed to rise
about 40.degree.F. per hour. The temperature rise was observed to
be generally linear with time and only slightly dependent on the
starting temperature. Thus the observed temperature rise of the
wash liquor with a starting temperature of 75.degree.F was
42.degree.F in 60 minutes; at 100.degree.F starting temperature the
rise was about 38.degree.F in 60 minutes; and at 120.degree.F
starting temperature the rise was about 37.degree.F in 60
minutes.
The effectiveness of the photoactivator was obtained for each time
and starting temperature as follows:
a. the reflectance value (L) was obtained for each black
tea-stained strip before washing.
b. the reflectance value (L) was obtained for each black
tea-stained strip after washing.
c. the change in reflectance (1/3L) was then obtained by
subtracting the value obtained in (b) from (a).
d. the values obtained in (c) for the black tea-stained strips
washed in the wash liquor without photoactivator were averaged and
then subtracted from the average of the values obtained in (c) for
the black tea-stained strips washed in the wash liquor containing 1
ppm photoactivator present.
The results obtained are given in the table below. In general
terms, a positive value shows a benefit for the presence of the
photoactivator when the wash liquor and cloth load is illuminated.
For example, at a starting temperature of 75.degree.F and 30
minutes washing time, it is shown that the treatment which included
photoactivator resulted in 4.6 1/3L units change greater than the
same treatment but without photoactivator.
Any suitable reflectance meter can be used for determining the
reflectance values. The meter used in this work was the Gardner
XL-10.
______________________________________ Difference in .DELTA.L's
Observed Starting Temperature Washing Time 30 min. 45 min. 60 min.
______________________________________ 75.degree.F 4.6 7.1 9.0
100.degree.F 5.8 10.1 12.6 120.degree.F 9.0 11.3 14.6
______________________________________
The data show that the illuminated washing treatment which includes
a photoactivator is in every instance more efficient in removing
black tea stains from cotton muslin strips compared to the
treatments without photoactivator. In determining the visual
significance of this data it is helpful to know that the human eye
can distinguish differences of about 1.0 or greater in reflectance
values among black tea-stained muslin strips. The data also show
that increased washing time and higher starting washing
temperatures increase the effectiveness of the photoactivator in
tea stain removal.
* * * * *