Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPOSITION FOR CLEANING CARPETS, INCLUDING FITTED
CARPETS, CURTAINS AND COVERING FABRICS AND/OR FOR
FACILITATING THE REMOVAL OF STAINS AND DIRT THEREFROM
A subject matter of the present invention is
an aqueous composition comprising at least one
sulfonated copolyester for cleaning carpets, including
fitted carpets, curtains and covering fabrics at least
partially made of hydrophobic synthetic polymer, in
particular of polyester or polyamide, very particularly
of polyamide, and/or for facilitating the removal of
stains and dirt (soil release) therefrom. Another
subject matter of the invention is a process for
cleaning carpets, including fitted carpets, curtains
and covering fabrics at least partially made of
hydrophobic synthetic polymer, in particular of
polyester or polyamide, very particularly of polyamide,
and/or for facilitating the removal of stains and dirt
(soil release) therefrom by the nonpermanent deposition
on these, by spraying, application by hand or
application using a cleaning device, of an aqueous
composition comprising at least one sulfonated
copolyester. It is also targeted at the use, in an
aqueous composition for the nonpermanent treatment of
carpets, including fitted carpets, curtains and
covering fabrics, of at least one sulfonated
copolyester as detergent agent and/or as agent which
facilitates the removal of stains and dirt (soil
release).
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It is known to decrease the viscosity of
stable aqueous emulsions of a mixture of at least one
nonionic hydrophilic surface-active agent and of at
least one nonionic hydrophobic surface-active agent by
addition of an optionally sulfonated, terephthalic
oligomer or polymer; these emulsions can be used as
cleaning composition, for example for cleaning carpets
(EP-A-629, 690) .
It is also known to use terephthalic
oligomers carrying sulfonated functional groups as
antisoiling (soil release) agents in detergent
compositions for washing laundry made of polyester or
based on polyester (WO 95/32997, WO 92/04433 and
US 4,877,796).
The Applicant Company has found that some
copolyesters exhibiting sulfonated units are
particularly advantageous in aqueous compositions for
the nonpermanent treatment of carpets, including fitted
carpets, curtains and covering fabrics at least
partially made of hydrophobic synthetic polymer, in
particular of polyester or polyamide, very particularly
of polyamide, as detergent (soil removal) agents and/or
as agents which facilitate the removal of stains and
dirt (soil release).
The term "nonpermanent" means that the active
agent only remains temporarily on the fibers or
surfaces and can be easily removed, unlike a permanent
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3
(finishing) treatment carried out at high temperature,
where the active agent is intended to remain
permanently on the fibers or surfaces.
A first subject matter of the invention is an
aqueous composition for cleaning carpets, including
fitted carpets, curtains and covering fabrics at least
partially made of hydrophobic synthetic polymer, in
particular of polyester or polyamide, very particularly
of polyamide, and/or for facilitating the removal of
stains and dirt (soil release) therefrom comprising at
least one water-soluble or water-dispersible
copolyester (SC) comprising sulfonated units,
characterized in that said copolyester (SC) is composed
essentially
- of units of general formula (I)
[-0-C (0) -A-C (0) - (O-CH2-CHz-) n-] (I) , where
. the symbol A represents
* a nonionic mono- or polyarylene or nonionic
alkylene residue (NA)
* or a sulfonated mono- or polyarylene or
sulfonated alkylene residue (SA) carrying at least one
sulfonic acid functional group,
the molar percentage of the units of formula
-C(O)-A-C(O)- where A is a sulfonated residue (SA),
with respect to all the units of formula -C(O)-A-C(O)-
in the units of formula (I), being of the order of 5 to
40, preferably of 7 to 35; and
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n is equal to 1, 2, 3 or 4,
- as chain ends, of alike or different groups of
formula
-A-CO-O- ( CH2-CHZ-O ) n-H ( I I1 )
-A-CO-O- (CH2-CH2-O) n-Z (IIZ)
in which formulae
A and n have the definitions given above
. Z represents a sulfonated C2-C31 alkyloyl or aryloyl
group carrying a sulfonate functional group, such as
sulfobenzoyl M03SC6H9C (O) -, where M is an alkali metal;
the molar percentage of units of formula (O-CH2-CH2-)n
where n is equal to l, with respect to all the units of
formula (O-CH2-CH2-)" where n is equal to l, 2, 3 and 4
in the units of formula (I), (II1) and (IIZ), being of
the order of 10 to 80, preferably of the order of 20 to
60; and
the weight [lacuna] molecular mass of said copolyesters
being less than 20,000, preferably less than 15,000,
very particularly from 5000 to 10,000.
The weight [lacuna] molecular masses are
measured by gel permeation chromatography in
dimethylacetamide comprising 10-2N Liar at 100°C. The
results are expressed in polystyrene equivalents.
The nonionic residues (NA) of the units of
formula (I) can be alike or different.
Mention may be made, as example of nonionic
residues (NA), of nonionic C6-C19 mono- or polyarylene
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residues and nonionic C1-C9 alkylene residues, such as
the 1,4-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,6-naphthalene,
1,6-cyclohexylene, ethylene, trimethylene,
tetramethylene or hexamethylene residues.
5 The sulfonated residues (SA) of the units of
formula (I) can be alike or different.
Mention may be made, as example of
sulfonated residues (SA), of sulfonated C6-C14 mono- or
polyarylene residues and sulfonated C1-C9 alkylene
residues carrying at least one sulfonic acid functional
group, preferably in the form of an alkali metal
sulfonate, very particularly sodium sulfonate, such as
the sodiooxysulfonylphenylene, sodiooxysulfonyl-
naphthalene, sodiooxysulfonylbiphenylene or sodiooxy-
sulfoethylene residues.
The nonionic residue (NA) is preferably a
1,4-phenylene residue (NAl) or 1,3-phenylene residue
(NA2) and the sulfonated residue (SA) is preferably a
5-sodiooxysulfonyl-1,3-phenylene residue.
In a very preferred way, the nonionic
residues (NA) of the units of formula (I) are
1,4-phenylene residues (NAl) or a mixture of
1,4-phenylene residues (NA1) and 1,3-phenylene residues
(NA2), the molar percentage of the units of formula
-C(O)-A-C(0)- where A is a residue (NA1), with respect
to all the units of formula -C(O)-A-C(0)- where A is a
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nonionic residue (NA), being of the order of 50 to 100,
preferably of 70 to 90.
The chain-end groups are preferably groups of
formula (II1) .
Other units can additionally be present as
chain ends in minor amounts, such as groups of
formula (III)
-A-CO-OH (III)
where A has the definition given above.
Said sulfonated copolyesters exhibiting
groups of formula (IIl) as chain ends can be obtained in
a known way, for example by esterification and/or
transesterification and polycondensation of a monomer
composition composed essentially of:
- a nonsulfonated diacid monomer (NAM)
composed of at least one aromatic or aliphatic
dicarboxylic acid or anhydride or their diesters in an
amount corresponding to an (NAM)/(NAM)+(SAM) molar
ratio of 95/100 to 60/100, preferably of the order of
93/100 to 65/100
- a sulfonated diacid monomer (SAM) composed
of at least one sulfonated aromatic or sulfonated
aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or anhydride or their
diesters in an amount corresponding to an
(SAM)/(NAM)+(SAM) molar ratio of the order of 5/100 to
40/100, preferably of the order of 7/100 to 35/100
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- and a polyol monomer (P) composed of
ethylene glycol and optionally of diethylene glycol
according to an amount corresponding to a number of OH
functional groups of the polyol monomer (P)/number of
COOH functional groups or of COOH functional group
equivalents of the diacid monomers (NAM)+(SAM) ratio of
the order of 1.05 to 4, preferably of the order of 1.1
to 3.5 and very particularly of the order of 1.8 to 3.
The basic unit considered in the definition
of the mole of monomer (NAM) or (SAM) is the COOH
functional group in the case of diacids or the COOH
functional group equivalent in the case of anhydrides
or diesters.
Mention may be made, among nonsulfonated diacid
monomers (NAM), of terephthalic, isophthalic,
2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic, cyclohexanedicarboxylic,
succinic, glutaric, adipic or suberic acids, their
anhydrides or lower diesters.
The nonsulfonated diacid monomer (NAM) is preferably
composed by 50 to 100 molo, very particularly of 70 to
90 molo, of terephthalic acid or anhydride or of one of
its lower diesters (of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl
or butyl) and of 0 to 50 molo, very particularly of 10
to 30 molo, of isophthalic acid or anhydride or of one
of its lower diesters (of methyl, ethyl, propyl,
isopropyl or butyl); the preferred diesters are those
of methyl.
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The sulfonated diacid monomer (SAM) exhibits at least
one sulfonic acid group, preferably in the form of an
alkali metal sulfonate (preferably sodium sulfonate),
and two acid functional groups or acid functional group
equivalents (that is to say, one anhydride functional
group or two ester functional groups) attached to one
or more aromatic rings when said monomer is aromatic.
In the case of a sulfonated aliphatic diacid monomer,
the sulfonic acid group can be bonded to a carbon atom
of an alkylene radical, either directly or indirectly
via an alkylene, alkoxyalkylene, oxyalkylene,
arylalkylene, alkylarylalkylene or alkoxyarylene group.
Mention may be made, among sulfonated diacid monomers
(SAM), of sulfonated aromatic or aliphatic dicarboxylic
acids, such as sulfoisophthalic, sulfoterephthalic,
sulfoorthophthalic, 4-sulfonaphthalene-2,7-
dicarboxylic, sulfodiphenyldicarboxylic or
sulfosuccinic acids, their anhydrides or lower
diesters. The preferred sulfonated diacid monomers
(SAM) are sulfoisophthalic acids or anhydrides and
their dimethyl esters and very particularly dimethyl
5-(sodiooxysulfonyl)isophthalate.
Said sulfonated copolymers exhibiting groups of formula
(IIl) as chain ends can be obtained by conventional
esterification and/or transesterification and
polycondensation processes, for example by an
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esterification and/or transesterification reaction, in
the presence of an esterification/transesterification
catalyst, of the polyol monomer (P) with the various
diacid monomers, each diacid being in the acid or
anhydride form or in the form of one of its diesters,
and polycondensation of the polyol esters at reduced
pressure in the presence of a polycondensation
catalyst.
According to a preferred method of preparation, said
sulfonated copolyesters are obtained by carrying out
the following successive stages:
- a stage of transesterification
(interexchange) between, on the one hand, the
sulfonated diacid monomer (SAM), in the diester form,
and from 50 to 100 molo, very particularly from 30 to
90 molo, of the total amount of the nonsulfonated
diacid monomer (NAM), in the diester form, and, on the
other hand, an amount of polyol monomer (P)
corresponding to a number of OH functional groups of
the polyol monomer (P)/number of COOH functional group
equivalents of said monomers (NAM) and (SAM) in the
form [lacuna] diesters ratio of the order of 1.05 to 4,
preferably of the order of 1.1 to 3.5 and very
particularly of the order of 1.8 to 3.0
- an optional stage of esterification between
the optional remaining amount of the nonsulfonated
diacid monomer (NAM), in the diacid or anhydride form,
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and an amount of polyol monomer (P) corresponding to a
number of OH functional groups of the polyol monomer
(P)/number of COOH functional groups of the
nonsulfonated diacid monomer (NAM) in the diacid or
5 anhydride form ratio of the order of 1.05 to 4,
preferably of the order of 1.1 to 3.5 and very
particularly of the order of 1.8 to 3.0
- a polycondensation stage.
The diesters of the nonsulfonated
10 dicarboxylic acids (NAM) and sulfonated dicarboxylic
acids (SAM) employed in the transesterification
(interexchange) stage are preferably dimethyl esters.
The preferred sulfonated copolyesters can be
obtained from
- terephthalic acid (NAM1), in the diester
form (preferably the dimethyl ester form), optionally
as a mixture with isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid
(NAM2) in the diacid or anhydride form, according to an
(NAM1)/(NAM1)+(NAM2) molar ratio of the order of
100/100 to 50/100, preferably of the order of 90/100 to
70/100
- sulfoisophthal~._c acid, in the diester form
(preferably the dimethyl ester form)
- monoethylene glycol.
They can be prepared by carrying out the
following successive stages:
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- a stage of transesterification
(interexchange) between, on the one hand, the diester
(preferably the dimethyl ester) of terephthalic acid
(NAMl) and the diester (preferably the dimethyl ester)
of sulfoisophthalic acid (SAM) and, on the other hand,
monoethylene glycol (P), the number of OH functional
groups (P)/number of COOH functional group equivalents
of (NAM1)+(SAM) ratio being of the order of 1.05 to 4,
preferably of the order of 1.1 to 3.5 and very
particularly of the order of 1.8 to 3
- a stage of esterification between
isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid (NAM2) and, on the
other hand, monoethylene glycol (P), the number of OH
functional groups (P)/number of COOH functional groups
of (NAM2) ratio being of the order of 1.05 to 4,
preferably of the order of 1.1 to 3.5 and very
particularly of the order of 1.8 to 3
- a polycondensation stage.
The operating conditions for the
transesterification, esterification and condensation
stages which can be employed are those disclosed in
W095/32997.
Chain ends with a formula of the type (IIZ)
can be obtained by employing, preferably in the
esterification stage, sulfonated monoacid monomers,
such as m-sodiosulfobenzoic acid or methyl or
2-hydroxyethyl m-sodiosulfobenzoate.
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Said aqueous compositions can comprise from
0.05 to 5 parts, preferably from 0.1 to 2 parts, very
particularly from 0.2 to 1.5 parts, by weight of
copolyester (SC) per 100 parts by weight of aqueous
compositions.
Said composition can be an aqueous solution
or an aqueous dispersion of said copolyester (SC) or
can additionally comprise other additives, such as:
* surface-active agents in amounts ranging from 0.5 to
10 parts, preferably from 1 to 5 parts, very preferably
from 1 to 2 parts, by weight per 100 parts by weight of
aqueous composition, surface-active agents such as
- anionic surface-active agents, such as
. alkyl ester sulfonates of formula R-CH(S03M)-COOR',
where R represents a C8_ZO, preferably Clo-C16, alkyl
radical, R' a C1-C6, preferably C1-C3, alkyl radical and
M an alkali metal (sodium, potassium or lithium)
cation, a substituted or unsubstituted ammonium
(methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl- or tetramethylammonium,
dimethylpiperidinium, and the like) cation or a cation
derived from an alkanolamine (monoethanolamine,
diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and the like);
. alkyl sulfates of formula ROS03M, where R represents a
CS-C24, preferably Clo-C18, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical,
M representing a hydrogen atom or a can on with the
same definition as above, and their ethoxylenated (E0)
and/or propoxylenated (PO) derivatives exhibiting an
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average of 0.5 to 30, preferably of 0.5 to 10, EO
and/or PO units;
. alkylamide sulfates of formula RCONHR'OS03M, where R
represents a Cz-C22, preferably C6-C2o, alkyl radical, R'
a C2-C3 alkyl radical, M representing a hydrogen atom or
a cation with the same definition as above, and their
ethoxylenated (E0) and/or propoxylenated (PO)
derivatives exhibiting an average of 0.5 to 60 EO
and/or PO units;
. salts of Cg-C2g, preferably C14-C2o, saturated or
unsaturated fatty acids, C9-CZO alkylbenzenesulfonates,
primary or secondary C8-C22 alkylsulfonates,
alkylglycerol sulfonates, the sulfonated polycarboxylic
acids described in GB-A-1,082,179, paraffin sulfonates,
N-acyl-N-alkyltaurates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates,
alkylsuccinamates, alkylsulfosuccinates, the monoesters
or diesters of sulfosuccinates, N-acylsarcosinates,
alkylglycoside sulfates or polyethoxycarboxylates
the cation being an alkali metal (sodium, potassium or
lithium), a substituted or unsubstituted ammonium
residue (methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl- or
tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperidinium, and the
like), or a residue derived from an alkanolamine
(monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and
the like);
- with non-ionic surface-active agents, such as
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. polyoxyalkylenated (polyethoxyethylenated,
polyoxypropylenated or polyoxybutylenated)
alkylphenols, the alkyl substituent of which is C6-C12,
comprising from 5 to 25 oxyalkylene units; mention may
be made, by way of example, of Triton X-45, X-114,
X-100 or X-102, sold by Rohm & Haas Co., or Igepal NP2
to NP17 from Rhodia;
. polyoxyalkylenated CB-C22 aliphatic alcohols
comprising from 1 to 25 oxyalkylene (oxyethylene or
oxypropylene) units; mention may be made, by way of
example, of Tergitol 15-S-9 or Tergitol 24-L-6 NMW,
sold by Union Carbide Corp., Neodol 45-9, Neodol 23-65,
Neodol 45-7 or Neodol 45-4, sold by Shell Chemical Co.;
Kyro EOB, sold by The Procter & Gamble Co., Synperonic
A3 to A9 from ICI, or Rhodasurf IT, DB and B from
Rhodia;
. the products resulting from the condensation of
ethylene oxide or of propylene oxide with propylene
glycol or ethylene glycol, with a weight [lacuna]
molecular mass of the order of 2000 to 10,000, such as
the Pluronics sold by BASF;
. the products resulting from the condensation of
ethylene oxide or of propylene oxide with
ethylenediamine, such as the Tetronics sold by BASF;
. ethoxylated and/or propoxylated C8-C18 fatty acids
comprising from 5 to 25 ethoxylated and/or propoxylated
units;
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C8-CZo fatty acid amides comprising from 5 to 30
ethoxylated units;
. ethoxylated amines comprising from 5 to 30
ethoxylated units;
5 . alkoxylated amidoamines comprising from 1 to 50,
preferably from 1 to 25, very particularly from 2 to
20, oxyalkylene units (preferably oxyethylene units;
amine oxides, such as (Clo-C18 alkyl) dimethylamine
oxides or (Ce-C22 alkoxy)ethyldihydroxyethylamine
10 oxides;
. alkoxylated terpene hydrocarbons, such as ethoxylated
and/or propoxylated a- or b-pinenes, comprising from 1
to 30 oxyethylene and/or oxypropylene units;
. the alkylpolyglycosides which can be obtained by
15 condensation (for example by acid catalysis) of glucose
with primary fatty alcohols (US-A-3,598,865,
US-A-4,565,647, EP-A-132,043, EP-A-132,046, and the
like) exhibiting a C9-C2o, preferably CB-Cla, alkyl group
and a mean number of glucose units of the order
[lacuna] 0.5 to 3, preferably of the order of 1.1 to
1.8, per mole of alkylpolyglycoside (APG); mention may
in particular be made of those exhibiting
* a C8-C14 alkyl group and, on average, 1.4 glucose
units per mole
* a C1z-C19 alkyl group and, on average, 1.4 glucose
units per mole
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* a C8-C14 alkyl group and, on average, 1.5 glucose
units per mole
* a C8-Clo alkyl group and, on average, 1.6 glucose
units per mole
sold respectively under the names Glucopon 600 EC",
Glucopon 600 CSUP", Glucopon 650 EC° and Glucopon 225
CSUP° by Henkel.
- and/or with amphoteric surface-active agents, such as
alkyl betaines, alkyl dimethyl betaines, alkyl
amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyldimethyl
betaines, alkyl trimethyl sulfobetaines, imidazoline
derivatives, such as alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl
amphodiacetates, alkyl amphopropionates or alkyl
amphodipropionates, alkyl sultaines or alkylamidopropyl
hydroxysultaines, the condensation products of fatty
acids and of protein hydrolysates, amphoteric
derivatives of alkylpolyamines, such as Amphionic XL°,
sold by Rhodia, or Ampholac 7T/X" and Ampholac 7C/X",
sold by Berol Nobel, or proteins or protein
hydrolysates;
* antiredeposition agents, in amounts ranging from 0.1
to 3 parts, preferably from 0.5 to 1 part, by weight
per 100 parts by weight of aqueous composition, such as
water-soluble salts of carboxylic polymers or
copolymers, for example salts of polyacrylic acid, or
copolymers of acrylic acid and of malefic anhydride;
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* alcohols, in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 10 parts,
preferably from 1 to 5 parts, by weight per 100 parts
by weight of aqueous composition, such as ethanol,
propylene glycol, isopropanol or butylene glycol;
* fragrances, in amounts ranging from 0.05 to 0.2 part
by weight per 100 parts by weight of aqueous
composition;
* other antisoiling agents, such as
. polyester copolymers based on ethylene terephthalate
and/or propylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene
terephthalate units, optionally comprising
sulfoisophthaloyl units in their chain
. polyester copolymers based on ethylene terephthalate
and/or propylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene
and/or polyoxypropylene units.
Said aqueous compositions according to the
invention can exhibit a level of dry matter of the
order of 0.5 to 150, preferably of the order of 0.5 to
7.50, very preferably of 1 to 30, of its weight.
Said compositions can exhibit a pH of 3 to
12, preferably of 4 to 10, very preferably of 7 to 10.
A second subject matter of the invention is a
process for cleaning carpets, including fitted carpets,
curtains and covering fabrics, in particular made of
synthetic polymer, very particularly of polyamide,
and/or for facilitating the removal of stains and dirt
(soil release) therefrom by nonpermanent deposition on
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these, by spraying, application by hand or application
using a device for cleaning textile surfaces, of the
liquid aqueous composition comprising at least one
copolyester (SC) as defined above.
Said copolyester (SC) makes it possible to
remove stains, in particular greasy stains (polish,
ballpoint pen, lipstick, oil, and the like) or aqueous
stains (coffee, and the like), and/or to facilitate the
removal of said stains; it also makes it possible to
remove dirt, in particular that transported by shoe
soles (dust, clay, earth, and the like), and/or to
facilitate the removal of said dirt.
When said process has more particularly the
aim of facilitating the removal of stains and dirt
(soil release) from carpets, including fitted carpets,
curtains and covering fabrics, this is an operation for
the pretreatment of the surfaces under consideration
using said composition comprising at least one
copolyester (SC) according to the invention, said
composition being composed of an aqueous solution or
suspension of at least one copolyester (SC) or
additionally comprising other additives as mentioned
above. This pretreatment operation makes it possible
for the stains and dirt which will be deposited
subsequently to be more easily removed during a
following cleaning using an aqueous composition
comprising or not comprising copolyester (SC).
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The amount of copolyester (SC) and the nature
and the amounts of the other additives optionally
present in said aqueous compositions, in order to carry
out the cleaning process and/or to facilitate the
removal of stains and dirt, have already been mentioned
above.
The amounts of aqueous composition employed
correspond to a deposited amount of copolyester (SC),
expressed as dry matter, of the order of 0.01 to 5,
preferably of 0.05 to 3, g/mz of surface.
Said compositions can optionally be diluted
before use.
Said aqueous composition comprising the
copolyester (SC) can be deposited on said surface to be
treated by spraying, by application using a shampooer
or by application using an injection-extraction device,
or by simply pouring said liquid composition onto the
surface to be treated, with optional rubbing using a
sponge or brush.
A third subject matter of the invention is a
process for improving the properties of compositions
for cleaning carpets, including fitted carpets,
curtains and covering fabrics, in particular made of
synthetic polymer, very particularly of polyamide, by
addition to said compositions of an effective amount of
at least one copolyester (SC) as defined above as
detergent (soil removal) agent and/or as agent for
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facilitating the removal of stains and dirt (soil
release).
The amount of copolyester (SC) and the nature
and the amounts of the other additives optionally
5 present in said aqueous compositions have already been
mentioned above.
Another subject matter of the invention is
the use, in an aqueous composition for cleaning
carpets, including fitted carpets, curtains and
10 covering fabrics, in particular made of synthetic
polymer, very particularly of polyamide, of at least
one copolyester (SC) as defined above as detergent
agent and/or as agent for facilitating the removal of
stains and dirt (soil release) from said carpets,
15 including fitted carpets, curtains and covering
fabrics.
The amounts of copolyester (SC) and the
nature and the amounts of the other additives
optionally present in said aqueous compositions have
20 already been mentioned above.
Said copolyester (SC) can be employed
according to amounts, expressed as dry matter, of the
order of 0.01 to 5, preferably of 0.05 to 3, g/m2 of
surface.
Said compositions can optionally be diluted
before use.
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Said aqueous composition comprising the
copolyester (SC) can be deposited on said surface to be
treated by spraying, by application using a shampooer
or by application using an injection-extraction device,
or by simply pouring said liquid composition onto the
surface to be treated, with optional rubbing using a
sponge or brush.
The following example is given by way of
illustration.
Example 1
The following charge I is introduced, after
several purges with nitrogen, into a stainless steel
reactor with a capacity of 1 liter:
* Dimethyl terephthalate 310.4 g (1.598 mol)
* Ethylene glycol 339 g (5.47 mol)
* Dimethyl 5-(sodiooxy- 104.4 g (0.353 mol)
sulfonyl)isophthalate
* Titanium aminotriethanolate 54 ppm of
(catalyst) titanium
The medium is subsequently preheated to 180°C
and then brought to 220°C over approximately
130 minutes, during which period of time the methanol
resulting from the transesterification reaction is
distilled off.
The reaction mixture is subsequently heated
in order to reach 230°C over 30 minutes. When the
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reaction mass has reached this temperature, the gradual
introduction of the following charge II is begun:
* Isophthalic acid 11.72 g (0.07 mol)
* Ethylene glycol 67.2 g (0.34 mol)
* Terephthalic acid 56.7 g (1.08 mol)
over a period of time of one hour, while maintaining
the reaction mass at 230°C.
Heating is subsequently continued in order to
bring this reaction mass to 250°C over 60 minutes.
During this period, a mixture of water and ethylene
glycol distils off without retrogradation. A gradual
vacuum is applied at this temperature in order to
obtain a reduced pressure of 100 mbar over 22 minutes.
The reaction mass is then poured. The product is
redispersible in water.
Its number [lacuna] molecular mass is 5100;
this is 9300 by weight (measurements by gel permeation
chromatography in dimethylacetamide comprising 10-ZN
Liar at 100°C; results expressed in polystyrene
equivalents).
This terephthalic copolymer comprises 15 molo
of sulfonate functional groups and exhibits, per
100 ether bonds of formula (O-CH2-CHz-)",
. 55.7 "ethylene glycol" bonds (n=1)
. 31.8 "diethylene glycol" bonds (n=2)
. 10.2 "triethylene glycol" bonds (n=3)
. 2.3 "tetraethylene glycol" bonds (n=4)
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This copolymer is i;ested with regard to its detergent
properties in the cleaning of fitted carpets made of
polyamide.
DETERGENCY
- Materials -
. fitted carpet made of polyamide, with an offwhite
color
. source of stains
* dirty motor oil
* lipstick (Vivid Red from Revlon)
* Kiwi black shoe polish from Kiwi
* coffee
. analytical balance
. micropipette
. applicational sponge
. white paper towel
. stopwatch
. "Dirt Devil" vacuum cleaner
. "Bissel" steam cleaner
. "Rug Doctor" steam cleaning concentrate
- Preparation of the fitted carpets
1) The fitted carpet is first of all cleaned from one
side to the other, front and rear, using Rug Color
detergent diluted according to the manufacturer's
instructions (2 oz. per gallon, i.e. approximately
15 g/1), using a Bissel steam cleaning device.
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2) After drying, the fitted carpet is cut up into
4" x 4" (approximately 10 x 10 cm2) squares which are
marked underneath in order to make sure that all the
strands are oriented in the same direction from one
square to another in order to obtain similar appearance
characteristics (less reflectance).
3) The fitted carpet samples are subsequently marked in
order to indicate the tests and the products.
- Staining-cleaning test -
1) Two tests are carried out for each stain. The
reflectance before staining, Rdl, of the fitted carpet
samples is measured.
2) The oil stains are produced by using the
micropipette; the waxy stains are firstly pressed onto
the applicational sponge and subsequently applied to
the fitted carpet samples.
The oil stains are applied at a dose of 0.12 ~ 0.05 g
for each fitted carpet sample inside a 2" x 2"
(approximately 5 x 5 cm2) square mask using a spatula.
The waxes are applied at a dose by weight of
0.15 ~ 0.05 g.
3) The stains are left to dry overnight before
cleaning. The reflectance of the stained fitted carpet
samples, RD2, before cleaning is measured.
4) The samples are dried four times (each time for
5 seconds), following the recommendations given on the
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label carried by the fitted carpet, using white
absorbent paper towels.
5) The samples are subsequently treated by spraying at
a distance of 4-6" (approximately 10-15 cm) with
5 4.0 ~ 0.1 g of the following aqueous liquid cleaning
product
. sodium lauryl sulfate 20
. sodium polyacrylate to
. propylene glycol 30
10 . fragrance 0.050
. water q.s. for 1000
with a pH of 9, to which has been added from 0.250 to
to of its weight of sulfonated copolymer prepared
above.
15 6) The product is left to stand in order to allow the
foam formed to penetrate into the stains.
7) The stains are cleaned by rubbing five times from
the top of the stain through the center using a dry
white absorbent paper towel; the paper towel is turned
20 over in order to obtain a clean surface and rubbing is
carried out a further five times from the bottom of the
stain through the center.
8) Stages 5) to 7) are repeated an additional four
times for each sample, for a total of five cleaning
25 cycles.
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9) The fitted carpets are dried and then vacuumed. The
reflectance, Rd3, of the cleaned fitted carpet samples
is then measured.
The removal of the stains (soil removal), R", is
calculated as follows:
R ~ - Rd2 - Rd3 X 10 0
Rd2 - Rdl
The results obtained (values of R" in o) are
as follows:
(photometric measurements of the reflectance values
made with a Datacolor Elrepho 2000 spectrophotometer at
a wavelength of 680 mm, without UV, spot adjusted to
27)
Formulation Lipstick Dirty Coffee Shoe
motor oil polish
Standard 44 29 50 79
Standard + 0.250 53 31
of copolymer
Standard + 0.5% 70 43
of copolymer
Standard + 0.750 76 48
of copolymer
Standard + 1o of 74 64 82 90
copolymer
The higher the value of R" obtained, the
better the performance.
