CLEANING COMPOSITIONS THAT REDUCE THE CLOSURE OF FABRICSTECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to compositions and articles containing these compositions, which are designed to clean and refresh fabrics in a non-immersion cleaning process, while minimizing shrinkage of the fabrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCertain delicate fabrics are not suitable for conventional domestic cleaning procedures with immersion. Some laundry machines that provide excellent cleaning results for most fabrics used in society today may, under certain conditions, shrink or otherwise damage silk, linen, wool and other delicate fabrics. Consumers typically have their delicate "dry cleaned" cloth items. Unfortunately, dry cleaning usually involves immersing the fabrics in various hydrocarbon and halogencarbide solvents that require special handling, and must be reclaimed, rendering the process unsuitable for domestic use. Therefore, dry cleaning has traditionally been restricted to commercial establishments, making it less convenient and more expensive than in domestic laundry procedures. However, excluding costs and convenience, dry cleaning procedures generally continue to be superior to domestic laundry washing procedures by immersion, to minimize shrinkage of fabrics. Attempts have been made to provide domestic dry cleaning systems that combine the cleaning and refreshing of fabrics in domestic laundry washing procedures by immersion with the benefits that dry cleaning procedures give to the care of fabrics. Said domestic system for cleaning and refreshing garments comprises a sheet of substrate containing various liquid or gelled cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The garments are placed in the bag together with the sheet, and are then rotated in a conventional clothes dryer. In a current commercial embodiment, multiple flat sheets for individual use are provided in a package comprising a cleaning / freshening agent and an individual plastic bag for multiple use. Unfortunately, said domestic procedures are sub-optimal with respect to shrinkage of fabrics. To be clear, these domestic immersion procedures are substantially superior to domestic immersion procedures with respect to minimizing fabric shrinkage. And these non-immersed domestic procedures are similar to commercial dry cleaning procedures with respect to minimizing shrinkage of fabrics, but some lesser degree of shrinkage can occur as a result of any process. Thus, there is a continuing need to find improved domestic cleaning and cooling procedures without immersion, and cleaning and freshening compositions for use herein, which provide acceptable cleaning, while minimizing fabric shrinkage. It has now also been unexpectedly discovered that certain organic compounds when using a cleaning / freshening composition within defined ratios can reduce the degree of shrinkage that occurs during a non-immersion domestic cleaning / cooling process. The present invention provides such a composition, and when used in the methods of this invention, and with the equipment thereof, the fabrics can be cleaned and cooled with substantially less shrinkage than conventional domestic immersion laundry procedures. When the composition, methods and equipment of this invention are used, the fabric shrinkage levels are comparable to, and in some cases substantially better than, the commercial dry cleaning process with immersion in a solvent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for the treatment of fabrics, which comprises: a) a composition for reducing fabric shrinkage, selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol , hexanediol, and mixtures thereof, and more preferably selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanol, and mixtures thereof; and b) a liquid cleaning / cooling composition. The composition for reducing fabric shrinkage and the liquid cleaning / cooling composition are preferably absorbed releasably on a substrate at a weight ratio of from about 1: 2 to about 1: 5, preferably about 1: 2 to about 1: 4, more preferably from about 1: 3 to about 1: 4, and most preferably 1: 3.6. The cleaning / freshening composition comprises water and a member selected from the group consisting of surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. Preferred organic solvents are glycol ethers, specifically, methoxy propoxy propanol, ethoxy propoxy propanol, propoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propanol, and mixtures thereof. The surfactant is preferably a nonionic surfactant, such as an ethoxylated alcohol or ethoxylated alkylphenol, and is present at up to about 2% by weight of the cleaning / freshening composition. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a general immersion cleaning / cooling process for the treatment of a fabric, which comprises the general steps of: a) placing the fabric together with a substrate in a containment bag; b) placing the bag in a hot-air clothes dryer, or a similar device, and operating said apparatus with heat and overturning (turning); and c) removing the fabric from the bag. In the process described above, releasably absorbed into the substrate is preferably: i) a fabric shrinkage reducing composition selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all the isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, and mixtures thereof , and more preferably selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanediol, and mixtures thereof; and i) a liquid cleaning / refreshing composition. In addition, the composition for reducing fabric shrinkage and the liquid cleaning / cooling composition are preferably present at a weight ratio of from about 1: 2 to about 1: 5, preferably from about 1: 2 to about 1: 4, more preferably from about 1: 3 to about 1: 4, and most preferably 1: 3.6. Preferably, the vapors are vented from the bag during step b). Even more preferably, in the above process the fabric has a first side and a second side, and the method further comprises the steps of: a) applying a composition for cleaning stains from a dispenser to a discrete stained area of the first side of the cloth; b) concurrently or consecutively with step a), contacting the first side of the fabric adjacent the stained area, with a treatment member; and c) contacting the second side of the fabric adjacent the stained area with an absorbent stain receiving article. In yet another aspect of this invention, equipment is provided comprising: a) multiple substrates with the composition for reducing fabric shrinkage and the liquid cleaning / cooling composition defined above, releasably absorbed therein; b) a container bag that can be reused; c) optionally, a treatment member; d) optionally, a separate portion of a stain cleaning composition;e) optionally, one or more items receiving spots, absorbers. In the kits of this invention, the separate portion of the stain cleaning composition is preferably provided in a container, and the treatment member is the distal tip of the container. In another aspect of this invention, a sheet is provided that is specifically adapted to clean and / or cool fabrics in a hot air clothes dryer, comprising: a) a substrate; b) from 10 grams to 30 grams of a liquid cleaning / cooling composition comprising at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, and more preferably at least 95%, by weight, of water freely absorbed in the substrate c) from 2 grams to 20 grams of a composition for reducing fabric shrinkage, selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all the isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, and mixtures thereof, and most preferably selected from the group which consists of neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanediol, and mixtures thereof, freely absorbed in the substrate. The sheet of this invention also preferably comprises a vapor permeable fibrous cover sheet that encloses the outer surfaces of the substrate, and which is permeable to the composition of.cleaning / refreshing and composition to reduce fabric shrinkage. The cover sheet preferably has a minimum thickness of at least about 0.2 mm, and is bonded to the substrate in discrete areas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSAlthough this specification concludes with claims that define the present invention in a different way, it is thought that these claims can be better understood in relation to the detailed description of the invention and the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a garment of fabric showing the measurements used to calculate the level of shrinkage after each cycle of a fabric treatment process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention comprises a composition that is a mixture of a composition for reducing fabric shrinkage and a liquid cleaning / freshening composition. The composition for reducing fabric shrinkage and the liquid cleaning / cooling composition are releasably absorbed in a substrate, which is preferably in the form of a sheet, even more preferably, the substrate is encased in a cover sheet. Also defined herein is a non-dip cleaning / cooling procedure for the treatment of a fabric. This method comprises the steps of: a) placing the fabric together with a substrate in a containment bag; b) placing the bag in a hot-air clothes dryer or similar device, and operating the appliance with heat and overturning; and c) removing the fabric from the bag. The fabric can be subjected to the treatment of stains at any time in conjunction with the cleaning and cooling process of this invention, preferably the treatment of stains occurs before the step of cleaning and refreshing. The stain treatment process typically comprises the steps of: a) applying a stain cleaning composition from a dispenser to a discrete stained area on the first side of the fabric; b) concurrently or consecutively with step a), contacting the first side of the fabric adjacent the stained area, with a treatment member; and c) contacting the second side of the fabric with an absorbent stain receiving article. Each of the elements of this invention is described in turn below.
By "cleaning" is meant here the removal of stains and dirt from the fabrics. "Stain cleaning" is the localized cleaning of stained areas before or after the cleaning / refreshing step that is carried out in the bag. By "refreshing" is meant here the removal of odors and / or wrinkles of fabrics in general, or the improvement of its general appearance, more than mainly the removal of dirt and stains, although some removal of dirt and stains may occur concurrently with the cooling. "Shrinkage" is defined herein as the reduction in one or more of 4 different measurements in a test garment as shown in Figure 1. Specifically, wool garments, wool / acrylic blends, cotton, blends of blends were selected. ramie / cotton and rayon / acrylic blends, such as sweaters, as test garments to determine the shrinkage that results from various cleaning procedures using various cleaning compositions. The test garments are referred to collectively herein as "long-sleeved garments". Although different garments can be used to test shrinkage, long-sleeved garments have numerous dimensions that can shrink independently of one another. In this way, long-sleeved garments were selected as test garments solely for experimental reasons, because they provide numerous data points.
It is understood that shrinkage of the fabric generally occurs regardless of the specific shape of the garment. As shown in Figure 1, four specific dimensions are measured before and after each treatment cycle. All measurements are taken on the front of the long-sleeved garment, after it has been placed on a flat hard surface and manually smoothed. That is, long-sleeved garments are not ironed before measurements are taken. Permanent marker, colored basting or other methods can be used to mark the exact position of each measurement, so that after each treatment cycle, measurements are taken in the same position. With this guide, it can be seen from figure 1 that the "overall length" is the distance from the bottom hem of the long-sleeved garment, to the hem of the back, the "arm length" is the distance between the hem at the bottom of a sleeve, to the approximate midpoint of the hem that joins the sleeve to the shirt, "width 1" is the distance between the side hems near the bottom of the shirt, and "width 2" is the distance between the two side hems near the armpits of the shirt.
Composition to reduce shrinkage The composition of this invention to reduce shrinkage is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all the isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, and mixtures thereof, and is most preferably selected from the group which consists of neopentyl glycol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1-octanol, and mixtures thereof. The shrinkage reducing composition is preferably neopentyl glycol or 1,2-propanediol, and is more preferably 1,2-propanediol. The ratio of the composition to reduce shrinkage: cleaning / freshening composition is preferably from about 1: 2 to about 1: 5, preferably from about 1: 2 to about 1: 4, more preferably about 1 : 3 to about 1: 4, and most preferably about 1: 3.6. It has been shown that a mixture of a composition for reducing shrinkage with a water-based cleaning / freshening composition, as defined below, when used in the non-dipping fabric treatment processes defined herein, substantially reduces the shrinkage of garments treated comparatively with substantially identical garments treated in an identical process, using only the cleaning / freshening composition. Furthermore, it has been shown that the use of the compositions to reduce shrinkage on a substrate, and the cleaning / cooling composition on a second substrate in the non-dip processes of this invention, does not provide the substantial shrinkage reduction observed when both The compositions are absorbed releasably on the same substrate. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is thought that the compositions of this invention to reduce shrinkage help to keep the fibers of the fabrics treated in a relaxed state, while the water-based cleaning / freshening composition treats the fibers of the fabrics treated in a relaxed state. fabrics The relaxed fibers are less susceptible to shrinkage. As mentioned above, reduced shrinkage is measured against a non-immersed process using only a cleaning / freshening composition. It should be noted that a non-immersion process using only a cleaning / freshening composition causes substantially less shrinkage than a conventional immersion laundry process. In this way, the compositions and methods described herein are not only an improvement over the known dipping processes, but are also a substantial improvement over conventional dipping laundry processes.
Cleaning / Cooling Composition The cleaning / cooling composition preferably comprises water and a member selected from the group consisting of surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches, auxiliary cleaning agents, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. Preferred organic solvents are glycol ethers, specifically, methoxy propoxy propanol, ethoxy propoxy propanol, propoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propoxy propanol, butoxy propanol, and mixtures thereof. The surfactant is preferably a nonionic surfactant, such as an ethoxylated alcohol or ethoxylated alkylphenol, and is present at up to about 2%, by weight, of the cleaning / freshening composition. Typical fabric cleaning / freshening compositions herein may comprise at least about 80%, by weight, of water, preferably at least about 90%, and more preferably at least about 95% of water. The following examples give specific scales for the individual components of preferred cleaning / freshening compositions for use herein. A more detailed description of the individual components of the cleaning / freshening compositions, ie, the organic solvents, surfactants, perfumes, preservatives, bleaches and auxiliary cleaning agents, can be found in the US patent. No. 5,789,368, issued August 4, 1998 to You et al. The full description of the patent of You et al. it is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, cleaning / freshening compositions are described in the patent application of E.U.A. copending No. 08 / 789,171, which was filed on January 24, 1997 in the name of Trinh et al. The full description of the application by Trinh et al. it is incorporated herein by reference.
Substrate When used in the dryer treatment step of the present process, the shrinkage reducing composition and the cleaning / freshening composition are absorbably used in combination with an absorbent substrate, hereinafter referred to as "substrate". The substrate contains the compositions releasably. By "releasably containing" it is understood that the compositions are effectively released from the substrate on the soiled fabrics as part of the cleaning and cooling procedures of fabrics without immersion of the present. This release occurs mainly by volatilization of the substrate composition through the vapor permeable cover sheet, or by a combination of vapor and liquid transfer, although the overall transfer of liquid is desirably reduced to a minimum by means of the sheet. cover of the present. The substrate may be in any desired form, such as powders, flakes, fragments, and the like. However, it is highly preferred that the substrate be in the form of an integral pad or "sheet" that substantially maintains its structural integrity throughout the process. The substrates and sheets of this invention are sometimes referred to in the literature as "carriers or vehicles" or "absorbent carrier sheets"; it is understood that all these designations refer to liquid absorbent materials that can be used to conveniently transport liquids. Said substrates are described in detail in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,789,368 to You et al., Which was previously incorporated herein by reference. The manufacture of these sheets is not part of this invention, and was already described in the literature. See, for example, US patents. 5,009,747, Viazmensky, et al., April 23, 1991, and 5,292,581, Viazmensky, et al., March 8, 1994, which are incorporated herein by reference. The substrate is intended to contain a sufficient amount of the composition to reduce shrinkage and cleaning / freshening compositions that are effective for its intended purpose. The capacity of the substrate for said compositions will vary according to the intended use. The size of the substrate should not be too large to be uncomfortable for the user. Typically, the dimensions of the substrate will be sufficient to provide a macroscopic surface area (both sides of the substrate) of at least about 360 cm2, preferably in the range of about 360 cm2 to about 3000 cm2. For example, a generally rectangular substrate may have the dimensions (X direction) of about 10 cm to about 35 cm, and (Y direction) of about 18 cm to about 45 cm.
Cover Hole The cover sheets used herein are distinguished from the substrate, in view of the fact that the cover sheets are relatively non-absorbent to the compositions for reducing shrinkage and cleaning / cooling compositions, in comparison with the substrate. The cover sheets are constructed from hydrophobic fibers that tend not to absorb, "dry" or otherwise promote fluid transfer. Although fluids can pass through the voids between the fibers of the cover sheet, this occurs mainly when excessive pressure is applied to the article. Thus, under typical conditions of use, the cover sheet provides a physical barrier that prevents the absorbent substrate, which is wetted by its composition charge to reduce shrinkage and cleaning / cooling composition, from coming into direct contact with the fabrics that are being treated. However, the cover sheet does not allow vapor transfer of the composition to reduce shrinkage and cleaning / freshening composition from the substrate through the cover sheet and into the containment bag, and thus on the fabrics that They are being treated. If desired, the cover sheet can be provided with macroscopic fenestrations through which lint, fibers or particulate soils can pass, further helping in this way to trap such foreign matter within the article itself. Said fibrous cover sheets, preferably heat resistant, and more preferably hydrophobic, are described in detail in the U.S. patent. No. 5,789,368 to You et al., Which was previously incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the provisional application of E.U.A. co-pending 60 / 077,556, which was filed on March 11, 1998 in the name of Wise et al., discloses certain improvements to the cover sheets of this invention. The full description of the request by Wise et al. it is incorporated herein by reference. Suitable combinations of the cover sheets described in You et al. with the improvements described in Wise et al., according to the needs of the manufacturer, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A potential problem with the sheets of this invention, i.e., the substrate or the combination of a substrate and a cover sheet, is that they can be excessively used by the consumer. The sheets are typically provided with sufficient composition to reduce shrinkage and cleaning / freshening composition for one use. If after the first use the sheet looks clean, the consumer may tend to use it again. Repeated use of a sheet containing an insufficient amount of composition to reduce shrinkage and cleaning / freshening composition will generally be ineffective. In this way, an indicator such as a colorant that changes color can be added to the substrate or cover sheet. The indicator will alert the consumer that the sheet has been used, so it must be discarded. Preferably, the indicator changes the color of the sheet to yellow, brown or gray. In the reference by Wise et al., Previously incorporated herein, a different and yet equally effective solution to this problem is proposed. Specifically, a tackifier is applied to the sheet. The tackifier attracts and collects loose fibers, hair, lint and other filaments from the fabrics that are being treated. This not only serves to remove these undesirable items from the fabrics, but also serves as an indicator. At the end of the treatment process, the filament material that the leaf is fixed gives the leaf a "dirty" appearance, indicating to the consumer that it should be discarded.
Container bag The present invention provides a non-immersion cleaning and cooling process that is carried out in a containment bag. The procedure herein can be carried out in a sealed bag, but in a highly preferred mode, the process of the present invention uses a container bag with steam ventilation. The bag is preferably designed for multiple and repeated uses, and is especially adapted for use by the consumer in most conventional hot air clothes dryers, such as those found at home. The bag is designed to vent water and other vapors (including malodorous materials) emanating from the inside of the bag when used in the manner described herein. The vapors released from the bag are then discharged through the dryer's air vent. The design of the ventilation capacity of the bag achieves an appropriate balance of the above effects. A sealed, steam-tight, sealed bag will not purge odors, and will excessively wet the fabrics, resulting in wrinkling. An excessively "open" bag design will not sufficiently moisten the fabrics or dirt to mobilize intense malodors or to remove pre-existing wrinkles in the fabrics. In addition, the bag must be "closed" sufficiently to the "surge" and create an empty volume under steam pressure, where the fabrics can freely rotate inside the bag and be exposed to the vapors. Preferred ventilation bags, and methods for using same in a non-immersion cleaning and cooling process, are described in the US patent. No. 5,789,368 to You et al., Which was previously incorporated herein by reference. A better description of the bags, methods of use, manufacture and materials to build them that are preferred for use in the invention, can be found in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,762,648, issued June 9, 1998 to Yeazell, and in the US patent. No. 5,681, 355, issued October 28, 1997 to Davis et al. The Yeazell patent and the Davis et al. they are incorporated herein by reference. More specifically, the preferred vapor-ventilated container bags for use in this invention are designed to vent at least about 40%, preferably at least about 60%, up to about 90%, preferably not more than about 80% by weight, of the total moisture introduced into the bag prior to the operation cycle of the clothes dryer, or other hot air apparatus, used in the methods of the present. The percentage of vapor ventilation can be determined from the steam ventilation evaluation test (WE) which is defined below in example IV. As noted above, the preferred containment bags are designed to achieve a degree of ventilation, or WE "score," of at least about 40% (40 VVE), preferably at least about 60% (60 WE), to about 90% (90 WE), even more preferably no more than about 80% (80 WE).
Composition for cleaning stains The user of the present method can be provided with various stain cleaning compositions that are used in the optional pre-stain procedure of this invention. These compositions are used to remove localized spots from the fabrics being treated, before or after the cleaning and cooling process defined herein. Necessarily, the composition for cleaning stains should be compatible with the fabric that is being treated. That is, a significant amount of dye should not be removed from the fabric during the treatment of the spots, and the composition for cleaning the spots should not leave visible spots on the fabric. Therefore, in a preferred aspect of this invention, stain cleaning compositions are provided that are substantially free of materials that leave visible residue on the treated fabrics. This necessarily means that the preferred compositions are formulated to contain the highest possible level of volatile materials, preferably water, typically about 95%, preferably about 97%, and surfactant at levels of about 0.1% to about 0.7. %. A preferred stain cleaning composition will also contain a cleaning solvent such as butoxy propoxy propanol (BPP) at a low but effective level, typically from about 1% to about 4%, preferably about 2%. Preferred compositions for stain cleaning are exemplified below and described in the US patent. No. 5,789,368 to You et al., Which was previously incorporated herein by reference. In addition, stain cleaning compositions are described in the US patent. No. 5,630,847, issued May 20, 1997 to Roetker. The full description of the Roetker patent is incorporated herein by reference.
Treatment member In one embodiment, a treatment member is provided to facilitate the removal of localized spots of fabrics. In a preferred aspect of this invention, the stain cleaning composition is provided in a dispenser, such as a bottle, and the disperser has a distal tip that can function as the treatment member. In addition, the treatment member may comprise an absorbent base material which may be, for example, a natural or synthetic sponge, an absorbent cellulose pad or sheet, or the like. In contact with and extending out of this base material, there may be multiple projections. Specific examples of the treatment member can be found in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,789,368 to You et al., Which was previously incorporated herein by reference.
Absorbent Stain Receiver Article An absorbent stain receiving article, sometimes referred to herein as a stain receiver, can optionally be used in the optional pre-stain operations herein. Said stain receptors can be any absorbent material that includes the liquid composition used in the pre-stain operation. Disposable paper towels, cloth towels such as BOUNTY ™ towels, clean linen, etc. can be used. However, in a preferred mode, the spot receptor is specifically designed to "dry" or "remove" the liquid compositions from the stained area. A preferred type of stain receptor consists of a non-woven pad, such as a thermally bonded air-laid fabric ("TBAL"). Another type of highly preferred stain receptor for use herein comprises a polymeric foam, wherein the polymeric foam comprises a water-in-oil polymerized emulsion, sometimes referred to as "poly-HIPE". The manufacture of polymeric foams is described very thoroughly in the patent literature; see, for example, US patent. No. 5,260,345 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson, Young, LaVon and Dyer, issued November 9, 1993;patent of E.U.A. No. 5,550,167 to DesMarais, issued August 27, 1996, and U.S. 5,650,222 to DesMarais et al., Issued July 22, 1997, all incorporated herein by reference. Typical conditions for forming the polymeric foams of the present invention are described in the patent application of E.U.A. copending series No. 09 / 042,418, filed March 13, 1998 by T. A. DesMarais, et al., entitled "Absorbent Materials for Distributing Aqueous Liquids", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A further description of conditions for forming polymeric foams for use in the present invention is given in the provisional patent application of E.U.A. copending series No. 60 / 077,955, filed March 13, 1998 by T. A. DesMarais, et al., entitled "Abrasion Resistant Polymeric Foam And Stain Receivers Made Therefrom", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The different spot receptors described herein and described in the references incorporated herein by reference, preferably comprise a liquid impervious backing sheet. The reinforcing sheet may be made of, for example, a thin layer of polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like. The reinforcing sheet provides protection to the surface, on which the stain receiver rests, of the composition for cleaning stains. For example, procedures for cleaning stains are typically carried out on a hard surface, such as the surface of a table. The stain receiver is placed on the table, and the fabric to be treated is placed on the stain receiver. The stain cleaning composition is applied to the stained area of the fabric, and then removed at the stain receiver. However, in the absence of a backing sheet, the stain cleaning composition may spill on the surface of the table, possibly damaging it. Although the backing sheet preferably covers only one side of the absorbent stain receiver, leaving the opposite side exposed to receive the stain cleaning solution, the backing sheet can be extended over the edges of the receiver to provide protection against spillage. of the solution for cleaning stains, from the edges of the stain receiver. However, the extension of the reinforcing sheet on the edges and on the absorbent side of the receiver, minimizes the surface area available to receive the solution for cleaning stains. One solution to this paradox is to have a portion of the reinforcing sheet extended beyond one or more of the edges of the receiver in the form of "wing" spots. The wings provide additional protection by ensuring that the stain removal composition is contained if it escapes the edges of the stain receiver, while simultaneously maximizing the stain receiver's absorbent surface area.
Cleaning and Cooling Procedures The composition for reducing shrinkage and cleaning / freshening composition are loaded onto the substrate which is preferably enclosed in a cover sheet, and the substrate is placed in a bag with the fabrics to be treated. The bag is closed and placed in a heat-operated clothes dryer, or the like, to remove unpleasant odors from the fabrics. The warm and humid environment created inside the bag volatilizes the components of the bad smell in the form of a "steam distillation" process, and moistens the fabrics and dirt on them. This wetting of the fabrics can loosen the pre-established wrinkles, without fixing new wrinkles during the drying stage, towards the end of the dryer cycle. The appropriate selection of the amount of the composition to reduce the shrinkage and the cleaning / freshening composition, and specifically the amount of water used in the process, and most importantly, proper ventilation of the bag in the present form, can minimize shrinkage of the fabrics. In addition, if the bag is not ventilated, volatile malodorous materials removed from the fabrics may be undesirably redeposited thereon. In more detail, the cleaning and cooling procedure of the present can be carried out in the following manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. (i) optionally, carrying out a pre-stamping procedure in accordance with the following description, on localized stained areas of the fabric;(I) placing the complete fabric together with the substrate releasably containing a composition to reduce shrinkage and a cleaning / freshening composition in a containment bag; (ii) placing the bag in a device for providing agitation, for example, such as in a hot air clothes dryer, and operating the dryer with heat and overturning to wet the fabric; (iv) extracting the fabric from the bag; and (v) hanging fabrics without delay to complete the drying and / or to prevent wrinkles from forming again. More specifically, the cleaning and cooling process is conveniently carried out in a tilting apparatus, preferably in the presence of heat. The substrate containing the cleaning / cooling composition and the composition to reduce shrinkage and which are absorbed releasably, is placed together with the fabrics to be treated in a nylon bag or other heat-resistant material, and preferably in a vapor ventilation bag. The bag is closed and placed in the tub of an automatic hot air clothes dryer at temperatures of 40 ° C-150 ° C. The tub is allowed to stir, which imparts an overturning action to the bag and the agitation of its contents concurrently with the overturning. The overturning and heating are carried out for a period of at least about 10 minutes, typically from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes. This step can be carried out for longer or shorter periods, depending on factors such as the degree and type of soiling of the fabrics, the nature of the soils, the nature of the fabrics, the loading of fabrics, the amount of applied heat, and the like, according to the needs of the user. In more detail, a pre-stain procedure can be carried out in the following manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 1. Place a stained area of the fabric on and in contact with the poly-HIPE or TBAL stain receptor described herein or, less preferably, an ordinary folded paper towel (eg, preferably white or unprinted - to avoid the transfer of dyes from the towel - BOUNTY® brand) on any suitable surface such as the surface of a table, on a tray, etc. 2. Apply enough stain cleaning composition from a dispensing bottle with a narrow spout that directs the composition onto the stain (without unnecessarily saturating the surrounding area of the fabric) to saturate the stained area located -about 10 drops; more can be used for a larger spot. 3. Optionally, let the composition penetrate the stain for 3 to 5 minutes. 4. Optionally, apply more composition - approximately 10 drops; more can be used for larger spots.
. Use the treatment member, such as the distal tip on the dispensing bottle, to remove the stain completely. The contact can be maintained for a period of 1 to 60 seconds for less impregnated spots, and 1 to 5 minutes, or longer, for more intense or more persistent spots. 6. Optionally, dry the fabric, for example, between paper towels, to remove the excess of the composition. Or, the treated area may be dried with a moistened sponge or other absorbent means to flood the fibers and remove excess composition. The following examples better illustrate the invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof.
EXAMPLE I Cleaning and cooling compositionsCompositions for cleaning / refreshing fabrics according to the present invention, for use in a containment bag, are prepared as follows:I ncentive network% by weight Emulsifier (TWEEN 20) * 0.5 Perfume 0.5 KATHON® 0.0003 Sodium benzoate 0.1 Water The rest * Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate available from ICI surfactants In addition, preferred compositions for use in the step of Cleaning / cooling in dryer of the procedure of the present, are the following:Ingredient% by weight scale (% by weight) Water 99.0 95.1-99.9 Perfume 0.5 0.05-1.5 Surfactant * 0.5 0.05-2.0 Ethanol or Isopropanol 0 Optional up to 4% Solvent (by 0 Optional up to 4% example BPP) pH scale of around 6 to about 8.
In addition to the other ingredients, the above compositions may contain enzymes to further improve their cleaning performance, as described in the patent of Trinh et al., Incorporated herein by reference.
EXAMPLE II Preparation of a substrate comprising a composition to reduce shrinkage and a cleaning / freshening compositionA substrate in the form of a 26 cm x 36 cm sheet is prepared from HYDRASPUN® material, manufactured by The Dexter Corp. The substrate sheet is covered on both sides with an upper sheet and a lower sheet of sheet material. Reemay fabric cover of 0.2 mm. The cover sheet (ie, the upper sheet and the lower sheet) is attached to the substrate sheet by a Vertrod® or other standard heat sealing device, such as conventional sonic sealing devices, thereby joining the laminated structure around the entire periphery of the sheet. The edges of the sheet around its periphery are interspersed between the upper sheet and the lower sheet by the joint. As described above, the width of the joint is kept to a minimum, and is approximately 6.4 mm. The bonded laminate sheet prepared in this way is folded and placed in a small bag. Any small plastic bag that does not leak would be suitable. For example, a thin foil laminate bag of the type used in the food service industry can be used. Said small bags are well known in the industry, and are made of materials that do not absorb food flavors. Similarly, the formulator herein may wish to avoid absorption of the perfume used in the cleaning / freshening composition by the small bag. Several small bags are useful in the present, and are commercially available on a routine basis. The substrate sheet / folded cover sheet is placed in the small bag. The folds can be of any type, for example, an accordion-like fold, or rolled, and then the roll is folded in half. This size is not critical, but it is convenient for placement in a small bag. 5 grams of the composition to reduce shrinkage and 18 grams of the cleaning / cooling composition are poured onto the substrate sheet / cover sheet in any order, more preferably the composition to reduce shrinkage and the cleaning / cooling composition is mix before pouring on the substrate. The compositions are allowed to absorb into the substrate. The small bag is sealed immediately after the liquid product is introduced into the small bag, and stored until use.
EXAMPLE III Compositions for cleaning stainsA stain cleaning composition for use in the present invention is prepared in the following manner, preferably with a dispenser as defined above, and with a TBAL or poly-HIPE foam spot receptor:INGREDIENT% by weight (non-ionic) Scale,% by weightHydrogen peroxide 1,000 0-2 Aminotrismethylene phosphonic acid 0.040 0-0.06 Butoxipropoxypropanol (BPP) 2,000 1-6 Neodol 23 6.5 0.250 0-1 Conservative Kathon 0.0003 Optional **Water 96.710 The rest PH goal = 7; scale = 6 to 8 * Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxide "Sufficient to provide a conservative function Another example of a preferred composition for cleaning stains, high water content and low residue for use in the pre-stain step in the present, is the following.
INGREDIENT Anion composition (%)Hydrogen peroxide 1,000 Aminotrismethylenephosphonic acid 0.0400 Butoxipropoxypropanol (BPP) 2,000 NH-coconut 0.285 Dodecyldimethylamine oxide 0.031 Magnesium chloride 0.018 Magnesium sulphate 0.019 Preservative Kathon 0.0003 Hydropod, perfume, other minor components 0.101 Water (deionized or distilled) 96.507 Target pH 6.0 * Stabilizer for hydrogen peroxidePreferably, to minimize the damage potential to dyes as described above, pre-stain compositions containing H2O2 comprise the anionic or nonionic surfactant in an amount (the weight of the composition) less than the amount of H2O2. Preferably, the weight ratio of surfactant: H 2 O 2 is in the range of about 1:10 to about 1: 1.5, more preferably about 4 to about 1: 3.
EXAMPLE IV Steam ventilation evaluation test (WE)Materials required for the WE test: - Cover or "standard", that is, control container bag that will be evaluated for WE. - Substrate carrier or vehicle: HYDRASPUN® substrate sheet 38.1 cm x 27.9 cm Dexter with (10444) or without (10244) binder. - Woolen blouse: RN 77390, style 12288, approximate weight of 224 grams. - Silk blouse: RN40787, style 0161, approximate weight of 81 grams. - Rayon sample: 114.3 cm x 43.2 cm, approximate weight of 60 grams. - Small bag: 12.7 cm x 16.2 cm to contain the substrate and water. - Deionized water: The weight varies to establish the WE.
Pretreatment of fabrics: 1. Wool, silk and rayon materials are placed in a Whirlpool dryer (model LEC 7646DQO) for 10 minutes at high heat value, where the heating cycle varies from approximately 60 ° C-73.8 ° C to remove the moisture absorbed at room temperature. 2. The fabrics are then removed from the dryer and placed in sealed plastic or nylon bags (76.2 microns minimum thickness) to minimize the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere.
Test procedure 1. Water and various weights measured from 0 to approximately 40 grams are applied to the substrate for a minimum of 30 minutes before carrying out the test of the ventilated bag. The substrate is folded, placed in a small bag, and sealed. 2. Each fabric is weighed separately, and dry weights are recorded. Weights are also recorded for the dry substrate, the dry small bag containing the substrate, and the dry containment bag being evaluated. 3. Each garment is placed in the bag that is being evaluated for vapor ventilation, along with the substrate containing water (extracted from its small unfolded bag). 4. The bag closes without expressing the amount of air, and is placed in the Whirlpool dryer for 30 minutes at high heat value, with overturning using the standard operating mode of the dryer. 5. At the end of 30 minutes, the bag is extracted from the dryer and each cloth, the substrate, the bag and the small bag, are weighed to determine the water gain in weight, with respect to the dry state (it is ignored in the calculations less possible loss in weight for the container bag due to the heat of the dryer). 6. The gain in weight of each garment is recorded as a percentage of the total moisture applied to the substrate. 7. The remaining unmeasured moisture divided by the total humidity is recorded as a percentage of the volume vented from the dryer bag. 8. When a series of levels of total applied humidity is evaluated, it is observed that at more than approximately 15 to 20 grams of water, the ventilated percentage becomes essentially constant, and this is the value of the steam ventilation equilibrium, or WE , for the particular ventilation design of the bag.