Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GARMENT CONDITIONING COMPOSITION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a garment conditioning composition which can
be
applied directly on a garment of in a wide variety of appliances such as a
cabinet-type apparatus.
The conditioning composition "conditions" garments in that they are cleaned,
refreshed, de-
wrinkled, deodorized, or softened as a result being subjected to the
conditioning composition.
The conditioning composition of the invention is especially suitable for
garments which require
only dry cleaning andlor are susceptible to damage during conventional home
laundering
operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
By classical definition, the term "dry cleaning" has been used to describe
processes for
cleaning textiles using non-aqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art, with
solvent cleaning
first being recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1860's. Typically, dry
cleaning processes are
used with garments such as woolens which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous
laundering baths,
or which are judged to be too valuable or too delicate to subject to aqueous
laundering processes.
Various hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in
immersion dry
cleaning processes, and the need to handle and reclaim such solvents has
mainly restricted the
practice of conventional dry cleaning to commercial establishments. In
addition to the cleaning
function, dry cleaning also provides important "refreshment" benefits. For
example, dry cleaning
removes undesirable odors and extraneous matter such as hair and lint from
garments, which are
then generally folded or pressed to remove wrinkles and restore their original
shape.
One type of home dry cleaning system comprises a carrier sheet containing
various
cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The bag can be either sealed such that it
is substantially air
tight or the bag can be vapor venting. The garments to be cleaned are sealed
in the bag together
with the sheet, and then tumbled in a conventional clothes dryer. In a
commercial embodiment,
multiple single-use flat sheets and a single mufti-use plastic bag are
provided in a package.
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However, the bag requires storage between uses and it can substantially
increase the cost of the
dry cleaning kit. Moreover, the bag restricts the number/volume of articles
that can be dry
cleaned and only partially assists in de-wrinkling the articles. Thus, there
is a need for a dry
cleaning/refreshing system which can be used in addition to, or as an
alternative to, the
aforementioned dry cleaning system, but which retains the convenience of
achieving such dry
cleaning in the user's home.
The art has suggested methods by which such goals can be accomplished. For
example,
the prior art discloses a method of finishing garments by hanging them in a
sealed chamber,
spraying a finishing agent which imparts refreshing and cleaning benefits, and
thereafter or
simultaneously therewith, fully applying steam to the garments. In a final
step, hot air is blown
through the sealed chamber to dry the garments. This system has the drawback
of requiring the
addition of "steam" to impart the desired benefits. The "full steaming"
requirement of this
process unnecessarily adds to the cost and time associated with refreshing and
cleaning the
garments. Thus, it would be desirable to have a composition which can be used
to refresh, de-
wrinkle and/or clean garments without requiring a steam application step.
Accordingly, despite the numerous disclosures in the prior art, there remains
a need for a
conditioning composition that can conveniently condition fine-washable
garments in the
consumer's home. There is also a need for such a composition that has improved
cost and time
effectiveness in that steam application is not required for effective
conditioning of the garment.
BACKGROUND ART
Methods of finishing clothes is disclosed in: U.S. 4,761,305 issued 8/2/88 to
Ochiai; U.S.
4,519,222, issued 5/28/85 to Kannegiesser et al; and U.S. 4,391,602, issued
7/5/83 to Stichnoth et
al. Dry cleaning processes are disclosed in: U.S. patent 5,547,476 issued
8/20/96 to Siklosi &
Roetker; U.S. 5,591,236 issued 1/7/97 to Roetker; U.S. patent 5,630,847 issued
5/20/97 to
Roetker; U.S. patent 5,630,848 issued 5/20/97 to Young, et al.; and in U.S.
patent 5,632,780
issued 5/27/97 to Siklosi.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The needs in the art identified above are met by the present invention which
provides a
conditioning composition for application to garments before or after
conventional washing and
drying operations. Most importantly, the composition is suitable for
conditioning dry clean only
garments. The composition is an aqueous mixture containing a garment
conditioning agent
wherein the mixture has a fluid viscosity of from about 1 cps to about 100 cps
and a fluid surface
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tension of from about 20 dynes/cm to about 55 dynes/cm. The conditioning
composition is in
fog form to improve composition deposition on the garments.
As used herein, the tenor "conditioning" means cleaning, refreshing, de-
wrinkling,
deodorizing, softening and/or other fabric benefit which can be imparted to
garments. As used
herein, the phrase "fog form" means a mist, vapor, gas, atomized droplets, or
the like which may
contain fine particles. As used herein, the word "cabinet" means any apparatus
in which a
garment can be placed, wherein the apparatus does not necessarily have to be
totally enclosed.
As used herein, the term "steam" means water vapor typically at temperatures
above 80°C. All
percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise
specified. All
documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In its broad~'st aspect, the invention is directed to a composition which
includes a
garment conditioning agent wherein the mixture has a fluid viscosity of from
about I cps to about
100 cps and a fluid surface tension of from about 20 dynes/cm to about 55
dynes/cm. More
1 S preferably, the fluid surface tension is from about 20 dynes/cm to about
30 dynes/cm, and most
preferably, from about 25 dynes/cm to about 30 dynes/cm. The lower surface
tension of the
conditioning composition improves effective distribution by improving surface
absorption and
spreading of the conditioning composition on the garment fabric. It has been
found that
compositions which have the aforementioned selected fluid surface tension
unexpectedly results
in more effective spreading of the composition on fabrics such as wool, nylon,
acrylics and the
like which are typically found in fine washable or dry clean only garments.
Furthermore, it is more preferable for the conditioning composition to have a
fluid
viscosity of from about 1 cps to about SO cps, and most preferably, of from
about 1 cps to about
20 cps as measured by a standard Brookfield viscometer. Unexpectedly, it has
been found that
the selection of fluid viscosity in combination with fluid surface tension
within the
aforementioned ranges result in a composition which can be effectively
distributed on the
garments to be conditioned. The selection of these two physical parameters of
the composition
described herein have the greatest effect on the even distribution of the
composition onto the
garments. in order to achieve the desired conditioning of the garments, even
distribution of the
composition is important.
A typical conditioning operation using the composition involves hanging dry
clean only
or laundered garments in a cabinet or similar apparatus in which air is
circulating, and spraying
an effective amount of a conditioning composition into the cabinet for
distribution on the
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garments. The use of steam to condition the garment is not necessary. More
effective
distribution of the conditioning composition is achieved by selecting a fog
form of the
conditioning composition. More preferably, the mean particulate diameter size
of the fog is
optimally chosen. To that end, the mean particulate diameter size of the
conditioning
composition fog is preferably from about 3 microns to about SO microns, more
preferably from
about 5 microns to about 30 microns, and most preferably from about 10 microns
to about 20
microns. Furthermore, it is preferable for the particle diameter size to have
a narrow particle size
distribution to enhance the distribution of the conditioning composition
further. It has been
found that a wide variety of other processing parameters as described in
detail hereinafter can be
optimally selected to ensure effective distribution and deposition of the
conditioning composition
on the garments as well as deliver other fabric benefits.
The cabinet or other apparatus used in the conditioning operation can take a
variety of
forms, one of which is an enclosed apparatus having an interior region or
space to which a door is
hingedly attached. A rod or other hanger means (e.g., one or more hooks) is
positioned in the
interior region of the cabinet. The cabinet preferably has a lower housing in
which a heater and
fan are disposed for circulating air within the cabinet, and optionally,
heating such circulating air.
The conditioning composition of the invention can be effectively distributed
on the garments in
the cabinet by spraying the composition in fog form having the aforedescribed
particle size into
the circulating air in the cabinet. Preferably, this spraying step occurs in
an unobstructed
deceleration zone prior to contacting the garments in the cabinet. In this
way, the conditioning
composition vapor is allowed to circulate gently in the cabinet air such that
it moves freely in,
between and around the garments ultimately uniformly distributing itself on
the garments. In this
regard, it is preferable for the cabinet to have at least about 1 S cm,
preferably 25 cm or more of
"dead" space at the top or front of the cabinet to serve as the unobstructed
deceleration zone for
the condition composition in the cabinet. This facilitates effective
distribution of the
conditioning composition on the garments.
For purposes of enhancing the effective distribution of the conditioning
composition on
the garments and insuring the desired particle size of the composition is
achieved, suitable
spraying devices such as hydraulic nozzle, sonic nebulizer, high pressure fog
nozzle, and the like
can be used. However, it is preferably achieved by using a relatively low
volume air atomization
nozzle. For example, spray nozzles commercially available from Spray Systems,
lnc. (Model
Nos. 850, 1 OSO, 1250, 1450 and 1650) are most suitable for the process. The
spraying step is
conducted for a period of time of from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes,
more preferably
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from about 5 minutes to about 20 minutes. Spraying times will vary depending
upon the various
operating parameters selected as described herein.
In one mode of operation, the liquid conditioning composition is fogged by
combining it
with an air stream under pressure and passed through the atomization nozzle in
the cabinet. This
can be accomplished by using an air stream having a pressure of from about 5
psi (0.35 kg~cm2)
to about 30 psi (2. I kg~cm=). Optionally, the temperature of the air stream
and/or the
conditioning composition can be raised to enhance distribution and deposition
of the conditioning
composition on the garments. In that regard, the temperature of the air stream
and/or the
conditioning composition is preferably from about 40°C to about
80°C, more preferably from
about 40°C to about 70°C, and more preferably, from about
45°C to about 50°C. By having the
air stream and/or the conditioning composition at the aforementioned elevated
temperatures, it
has been found that superior de-wrinkling benefits are achieved.
The particular conditioning composition may include a variety of adjunct
ingredients
depending upon the particular benefit desired. However, in preferable modes of
operation the
conditioning composition will contain adjunct ingredients which can be
effective across a variety
of garment fabrics. For example, the conditioning composition will preferably
be suitable for
"dry-clean" only garments as well as pure cotton dress shirts which typically
require a significant
de-wrinkling operation subsequent to conventional laundering operations (i.e.,
home washing and
drying cycles). By way of example, one suitable composition which provides
deodorizing,
refreshing and de-wrinkling benefits comprises, by weight, from about 0.001%
to about 10% of a
copolymer of acrylic acid and t-butylacrylate; from about 0.001 % to about 10%
of a diethylene
glycol; from about 0.01% to about 10% of a beta cylcodextrin; from about
0.001% to about 5%
of a surfactant; from about 0% to about 2% of a preservative; and the balance
water.
A preferred level of the polymer is from about 0.1% to about 1%, more
preferably from
about 0.3% to about 1.5%, by weight. Preferred levels of diethylene glycol
include from about
0.1% to about 2%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1%. It should
be understood
that other humectants beyond diethylene glycol can be used without departing
from the scope of
the invention. Also, preferred levels of cyclodextrin include from about 0.1 %
to about 4%, and
more preferably, from about 0.5% to about 2% by weight. Preferred
cyclodextrins include those
selected from the group consisting of beta-cyclodextrin, alpha-cyclodextrin,
gamma-
cyclodextrin, derivatives of said cyclodextrins, and mixtures thereof. The
cyclodextrin
derivatives are preferabiy selected from the group consisting of methyl
substituted cyclodextrins,
ethyl substituted cyclodextrins, hydroxyalkyi substituted cyclodextrins,
branched cyclodextrins,
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cationic cyclodextrins, quaternary ammonium cyclodextrins, anionic
cyclodextrins, amphoteric
cyclodextrins, cyclodextrins wherein at least one glucopyranose unit has a 3-6-
anhydro-
cyclomalto structure, and mixtures thereof.
Preferred levels of the surfactant include from about 0.1 % to about 2%, more
preferably
from about 0.1% to about 0.5%, by weight. The preferred surfactant is
polyalkylene oxide-
modified polydimethylsiloxane, and can be purchased commercially from Witco
Corporation
under the tradename Silwet L-7600. A preferred optional ingredient is a
preservative such as
ICathon, commercially available from Rohm & Haas Company at a level of from
about 0.0001
to about 0.001%. Other optional ingredients include perfumes, pH control
agents, and alcohol.
In this preferred polymer-containing composition, the pH is from about 6.5 to
about 10, most
preferably at about 9.5. In some cases where polymers are not included in the
composition, the
pH can vary from about 4 to about 10.
The following Example further illustrates the present invention, but are not
to be
considered limiting thereof.
EXAMPLES I-II
These Examples illustrate compositions of the invention and an exemplary use
of such
compositions. The compositions may be used to treat three oxford 100% cotton
dress shirts
which are hung on a horizontal rod in a 60cm x 30cm x 120cm cabinet having a
lower housing
containing a fan and heater so that air can be continuously circulated
throughout the cabinet. A
Model No. 1050 air atomization spray nozzle from Spray Systems Inc. is used to
convert the
conditioning composition to fog form. The ingredients and relative proportions
of the
compositions are set forth below.
II
Ingredient 1% Weight) (% Weight)
Copolymer 0.75
Diethylene glycol 0.4 0.3
~i-hydroxylpropyl 1.0 1.0
cyclodextrin
Polyalkylene oxide' 0.25 0.25
Sodium hydroxide 0.1 --
Preservative' 0.0003 0.0003
pH adjustment with 9.5 4.0
HCI or
NaOH
Water to balance to balance
'Copolymer
of
acrylic
acid
and
t-butylacrylate.
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ZPolyalkylene oxide modified polydimethylsiloxane commercially available from
Witco
Corporation under the tradename Silwet L-7600.
The above conditioning compositions are converted to fog form at ambient
temperature with 20
psi (1.4 kg~cmz) of air through the air atomization nozzle. The mean
particulate diameter size of
the fog is about 10.5 microns. Typical conditioning operations will last for
25 minutes, after
which a drying operation may occur. The garments which have been exposed to
the conditioning
composition are deodorized, refreshed, and dewrinkled in an unexpectedly
improved fashion as
compared to compositions outside the scope of the invention, for example those
compositions
which are in liquid form.
Accordingly, having thus described the invention in detail, it will be obvious
to those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the
scope of the
invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is
described in the
specification.
