Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTAINER FOR LAUNDERING DELICATE GARMENTS
IN A WASHING MACHINE
This application has been divided out of Canadian Patent Application
Serial No. 2,346,712 Canadian national phase of International Application
Serial
No. PCT/US1999/24937 filed October 22, 1999 and published internationally as
WO 2000/2495 8 on May 4, 2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to products and processes for laundering
delicate or dry-clean only garments in a conventional home washing machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
By 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 1860s.
Typically, dry cleaning processes are used with delicate fabrics such as wool
and
silk which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous laundering baths, or which are
judged to be too valuable or delicate to be subjected to aqueous laundering
processes. Such garments usually have a tag affixed to them either identifying
the
garment as "dry clean only" or providing some other appropriate laundering
tocsin. For the last fifty years, the most widely-used non-aqueous solvent of
choice for commercial dry-cleaning has been perchloroethylene.
While perchloroethylene is superior to the non-aqueous solvents that
it replaced, it has several disadvantages. In particular perchloroethylene has
been identified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental
Protection
Agency and has been long associated with nervous-system and kidney disorders
among industrial workers. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency
classified perchloroethylene as a "probable human carcinogen".
Perchloroethylene's potential carcinogenic effects are not limited solely
to industrial workers or those who operate perchloroethylene-based dry
clean processes: a recent study of commercial dry
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cleaners in New York revealed that many of these cleaners used such high
amounts of
perchloroethylene to clean garments, that customers who wore freshly dry-
cleaned garments
could inhale enough perchioroethylene to incur a slightly increased risk of
cancer. As a
consequence of the hazardous nature of perchloroethylene, dry cleaning
processes utilizing
perchloroethylene must be done at commercial establishments. Not only is this
both
inconvenient and expensive, but it can expose delicate and quite possibly
expensive garments to
dry-cleaning processes of inconsistent quality and garment care. Many
consumers who have
taken their goods to a commercial dry-cleaner have reported them being damaged
either by
excessive shrinking, discoloration or tearing. The use of perchioroethylene in
commercial dry-
cleaning establishments also tends to leave a "chemical" smell on clothing
that consumers find
unsatisfactory.
Moreover, while solvent-based dry cleaning processes are quite effective for
removing
oily soils and stains, they are not optimal for removing particulates such as
clay soils or the
water-soluble stains such as the sugars commonly found in many fruit drinks
and carbonated
beverages, and may require special treatment conditions to remove
proteinaceous stains.
Given the foregoing, there is a continuing need for a method or process that
provides
excellent cleaning benefits on a variety of stains and soiling conditions and
imparts a "fresh" and
"clean" scent to delicate or dry-clean only goods without the use of hazardous
or harmful
chemicals. Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a
process for cleaning
delicate or dry-clean only garments that uses non-toxic and non-hazardous
chemicals to provide
superior cleaning benefits on a wide variety of soils and stains. Such a
method or process should
also be relatively convenient and inexpensive and be without the possible
garment damage and
adverse "chemical" scent that is sometimes the result of commercial dry-
cleaning.
Ideally, particulates and proteinaceous stains, as well as oily soils and
stains, are
removed from fabrics using detersive ingredients and under operating
conditions which are more
akin to aqueous laundering processes than to conventional dry cleaning. Such
aqueous laundry
processes also consistently impart a "freshness" or "clean" scent to fabric,
rather than the
"chemical" smell that is often found when perchloroethylene or other non-
aqueous solvents are
used.
Perhaps the most widely practiced aqueous laundering process is that which the
consumer performs when she or he immerses a gannent into an aqueous laundry
detergent
solution in a conventional home washing machine. Such a process has long been
shown to
provide excellent performance for both stain removal and overall garment
cleaning and can be
perforTned without using hazardous or toxic chemicals. Moreover, the use of an
aqueous
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laundering process in a conventional washing machine is considerably more
convenient and
inexpensive than virtually any other laundering method.
Nonetheless, such processes can produce unacceptable results when applied to a
broad
range of delicate or dry-clean only garments, such as those made from wool.
Wool, is made up
of a fibers which can interlock with one another by a series of "scales".
Generally, these
interlocking scales cannot move past one another and as a result wool is a
relatively strong
textile. However, when wool becomes wet or moistened then the water provides
lubrication by
which the scales may move past one another in a preferential direction if
sufficient force is
exerted in that direction; such force may be provided by the agitation
experienced in a washing
machine. When the fibers move in this preferential direction, then the wool
garrnent shrinks.
This shrinkage cannot be undone because these "scales" can only move past one
another in a
preferred direction. Sufficient force cannot be exerted to move them in the
direction opposite to
the preferred direction to undo the shrinkage. Thus when the wool ganment is
removed from the
aqueous laundry process, shrinkage has occurred and the garment is
irreversibly damaged.
15= Similarly, rayon, when saturated with water, becomes extremely weak and
the subsequent
agitation and abrasion that it experiences in a typical aqueous laundry
process is likely not only
to cause severe damage to the garment but also to leave it extremely wrinkled.
Similarly,
delicate fabrics like silk will not only be severely wrinkled but also may
lose their desirable soft
feel.
Garments such as silks are also vulnerable not only to the mechanical
agitation of a
conventional washing machine but are also particularly vulnerable to the
typical laundry
detergents because such detergents may contain ingredients that are too harsh
for such delicate
fabrics. It is thus a further benefit of the present invention to provide an
aqueous laundering
process adapted for use in a conventional washing machine that is not harmful
to garments made
from fabrics such as wool, rayon, silk, acrylics, triacetates, fine cottons
and blends of these
aforementioned materials.
-A system has been devised in the present invention to provide the traditional
cleaning,
brightening and freshening benefits of an aqueous laundering process without
the deleterious
consequences to delicate and dry-clean only fabrics descnbed above. The system
uses a flexible,
polymer wrap container. When a garment is secured within this container the
garment is
buffered and cushioned from the force and stress caused by the agitator. The
system also uses as
a detergent a liquid laundry composition which is modified to be mild on
delicate garmentg. This
laundry composition may also be present in the form of a gel, foam, or viscous
liquid. To
enhance cleaning efficacy on stains, the system may provide an applicator and,
optionally a
special stain-absorbent pad which the consumer may use to pretreat a stain
before it is placed in
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the washing machine. In addition, the present invention makes use of a rinse
cycle conditioner to
improve color fidelity, provide antiwrinkling benefits and reduce fabric
abrasion as well as
providing other fabric care benefits.
When used according to the processes described herein, this system provides a
consumer
with a convenient, inexpensive, and efficacious way to clean delicate and dry-
clean only
garments in the home.
SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, processes and kits for performing these processes
have been
found by which delicate and dry-clean only garments can be cleaned and
freshened in an aqueous
laundering process without damaging the garment. An aqueous laundry process
performed in a
conventional home washing machine is particularly envisioned. Accordingly, the
present
invention solves the long-standing need for an inexpensive and convenient
process of cleaning
dry-clean only and other delicate garments in a conventional home washing
machine. The
process of the present invention provides equal to superior overall cleaning
of garments when
compared to a commercial dry-cleaning establishment using perchloroethylene
but without the
use of hazardous chemicals or the deposition 'of chemical malodors on the
garment. The present
invention relates to a kit and process for laundering delicate or dry-clean
only garments in a
conventional home washing machine. The kit comes with a flexible wrap
container and
instructions for using the container to launder garments in a conventional
home washing
machine.
The flexible wrap container is designed to contain and protect delicate or dry-
clean only
clothes from being subjected to the agitation action of a washing machine. The
basic part of the
flexible wrap container is a flexible rectangular panel constructed of a woven
polyester or woven
nylon layer. At least two and preferably four snaps are located near the edge
of one of the panel's
sides. These snaps may be used for attaching the flexible wrap container to
another identical
flexible wrap container. Attached near the edge of the side directly opposite
the side where the
snaps are located are one or more straps, each strap being equipped with a
pair of fasteners.
When the wrap is folded up according to the directions of use, the strap or
straps may be
tightened around the wrap and one or more fasteners engaged to hold the strap
or straps in place
so that the bag is secured and will not open up under normal agitation
conditions. The
instructions provided herein are enclosed with or on a container enclosing the
kit. The
instructions direct a user to place a garment inside the flexible wrap
container and then place the
flexible wrap container together with an effective amount of a liquid cleaning
composition
inside a washing machine.
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There is also provided a process for cleaning garments using the kit
provided with this invention. This process encompasses placing the fabrics and
textiles within the flexible wrap container described above and then placing
the
flexible wrap container together with an effective amount of a liquid cleaning
composition inside a washing machine and then operating the washing machine as
prescribed by the manufacturer.
The present invention also provides a wash pretreatment applicator which
is used to distribute or spread the wash pretreatment composition across the
surface of a stain. The wash pretreatment applicator disclosed by the present
invention is a substantially cylindrical tube having an open end and a closed
end.
The closed end portion of the tube is provided with numerous bristles adapted
to
apply a cleaning composition to a stain covering a localized area of a
delicate or
dry-clean only garment. The tube being sized and configured to fit securedly
around a human finger with the closed end of the tube position adjacent to the
tip
of the finger and the open end of the tube positioned adjacent to the second
joint
of the finger.
The present invention also discloses a preferred embodiment of the
flexible wrap container described above. This preferred flexible wrap
container
additionally comprises a first and second flap attached to the flexible wrap
container along the right edge of the panel and along the left edge of the
panel,
respectively. The flaps may overlap each other to provide increased garment
containment during use. Other preferred flexible wrap containers are provided
with a tapering top portion to which is attached at least one of the
previously
described straps. In addition to or in place of the flaps, a flexible fence
can be
provided along the right and left edges of the flexible wrap container for
garment
containment.
In this invention it may be desirable for the panel to be a layered material,
comprising a core material between a first layer material and a second layer
material, the core material being polyester, the first layer material and the
second
layer material being nylon and the first flap and second flap each constructed
from
polyester. The first layer material of nylon and the polyester material that
forms
the flaps are woven in such a way that they are provided with numerous holes.
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In one particular embodiment there is provided a flexible wrap container
for use in a washing machine, comprising: a flexible panel having a right
edge, a
left edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge wherein said flexible panel comprises
a
layered material wherein said layered material comprises a core material
between
a first layer material and a second layer material wherein said core material
is
polyester; at least one strap and a first fastening device attached to said
strap for
securing the wrap container in a roll-like shape; a first flap attached to
said right
edge of said flexible panel; and a second flap attached to said left edge of
said
flexible panel, wherein said first flap and said second flap overlap when
folded
about their respective edges and wherein said first flap and said second flap
include numerous small pores wherein said second layer material does not
include
pores but is water permeable.
In another particular embodiment there is provided a flexible wrap
container for use in a washing machine, comprising: a flexible panel having a
right edge, a left edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge; at least one strap and
a first
fastening device attached to said strap for securing the wrap container in a
roll-
like shape; a first flap attached to said right edge of said flexible panel;
and a
second flap attached to said left edge of said flexible panel, wherein said
first flap,
and said second flap overlap when folded about their respective edges and
wherein said first flap and said second flap include numerous small pores
wherein
said flexible wrap container is comprised of four different layers.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless
otherwise specified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the flexible wrap container 122.
Figure 1 A is a side view illustrating the flexible wrap container 122 and
showing two attached flaps, a first flap 111 being folded out and a second
flap 112
being folded over the panel.
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Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an enlarged flexible wrap container 125.
In this
embodiment, the two wraps can be attached to each other via connecting means
107 located
adjacent to the bottom edge of the panel 101 of each flexible wrap container
122 (of Figure 1) to
form an enlarged flexible wrap container 125.
Figure 3 is a detail illustrating a pocket 110 attached to the panel 100 of
the flexible wrap
container which provides a storage area for the extra straps and fastening
devices when two
flexible wrap containers are attached to form an enlarged flexible wrap
container as in Figure 2.
Figure 3A is a sectional side view of the pocket 110 illustrating the storing
of straps and
fastening devices in the attached pockets when two flexible wrap containers
are attached to form
an enlarged flexible wrap container as in Figure 2
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a profile of the material
layers in a
preferred embodiment of the flexible wrap container 122.
Figure 5 is a perspective of the wash pretreatment applicator 310 which is
used in the
present invention to pre-treat stains using hand pressure.
Figure 6 is a perspective of the wash pretreatment applicator 310 as
positioned on a
human finger.
Figure 7 is a perspective of the flexible wrap container 122 in a roll-like
shape.
Figure 8 is a top planar view of a preferred flexible wrap container made in
accordance
with the present invention, wherein overlapping first and second flaps which
are illustrated in an
open position.
Figure 9 is a top planar view of the flexible wrap container of Fig. 8,
wherein the first
and second flaps have been folded over the right and left edges of the panel
of the flexible wrap
container.
Figure 10 is a top planar view of the flexible wrap container of Fig. 8, where
the first flap
has been folded over the left edge of the panel to illustrate placement of a
second garment in the
flexible wrap container.
Figure 11 is a top planar view of another flexible wrap container made in
accordance
with the present invention, wherein a tapered top portion is provided.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the flexible wrap container of Fig. 11,
wherein the
flexible wrap container is illustrated in a roll-like shape.
Figure 13 is a side elevation view of yet another flexible wrap container made
in
accordance with the present invention, wherein a fence is provided along the
edge of the flexible
wrap container.
Figure 14 is a top planar view of the flexible wrap container of Fig. 13.
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Figure 15 is a side elevational view of the flexible wrap container of Fig.
13, wherein the
flexible wrap container is illustrated in a roll-like shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of
the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In
accordance with
one aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided which contains the
necessary materials to
enable a consumer to clean their delicate or dry-clean only garments in a
conventional, home
washing machine with superior cleaning perfonmance but without significant
damage or the
adverse effects typically associated with aqueous garment cleaning. At a
minimum, the kit
includes a liquid cleaning composition specially formulated for treating and
cleaning delicate and
dry=clean only garments, a rinse cycle conditioner and a flexible wrap
container. The kit may
also, include: a wash pretreatment composition, one or more wash pretreatment
applicators, an
apparatus for dispensing a rinse cycle conditioner and multiple absorbent
stain receiver pads.
The flexible wrap container disclosed by the present invention provides
significant
benefits over similar devices in use today. In particular, it offers a
superior means for securing
and closing itself, thereby limiting the chance that garments will spill out
of it and be damaged
while being laundered in a washing machine. Additionally, the thickness of the
flexible wrap
container insulates and protects the garment or garments contained therein
from the stress and
abrasion that may be caused by the agitator and other internal parts of a
washing machine. The
flexible wrap container further offers an expandability and versatility that
is not seen in other
such devices: not only is the flexible wrap container larger than competing
devices, it has a series
of connecting means (e.g. snaps) which allow two identical flexible wrap
containers to be
snapped together to provide an additional flexible wrap container of twice the
original capacity at
no extra cost to the consumer. This further enhances the dimension retention
benefits of the
present invention.
The present invention further provides a wash pretreatment applicator intended
to be
affixed on a human finger, that is used to spread the wash pretreatment
composition over the
stained area of a garment. The wash pretreatment applicator is an highly
useful tool by which
stain removal agent may be distributed over the stained area of a garment with
enhanced
convenience and efficacy.
When these separate components are taken and used together, the result is an
innovative
process and a kit for performing that process by which delicate and dry-clean
only ganments can
be cleaned and freshened in an aqueous laundering process without damaging the
garments. An
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aqueous laundry process performed in a conventional home washing machine is
particularly
envisioned.
Definitions
By "aqueous compositions" herein is meant compositions which comprise a major
portion of water.
By "solution" herein is meant a liquid mixture of ingredients. As used herein
"solution"
does not convey or imply the existence of only a single liquid or solid phase.
Nor is it meant to
describe a homogenous solvent/solute system.
By "effective amount" herein is meant any amount capable of measurably
improving
stain removal from a localized area of a garment. In general, this amount may
vary quite widely.
By "cleaning" herein is meant the removal of soils and stains from fabrics. By
"contact
with stained areas" with respect to the wash pretreatment applicator is meant
contact which is
afforded by the impingement of the soft bristles which comprise the brush
means of the device
with the one side of the stained area. By "contact with the stained areas"
with respect to the
absorbent stain receiver pad is meant that the side of the stained area of the
fabric opposite the
wash pretreatment applicator directly impinges on the receiver and is in close
communication
therewith.
The components of the devices of this invention and their method of use are
described in
more detail hereinafter.
LIQUID CLEANING COMPOSITION AND
THE WASH PRETREATMENT COMPOSITION
Some laundry detergent compositions are too harsh to treat delicate and dry-
clean only
. garments. In particular, detergent ingredients such as certain surfactants,
certain enzymes and
certain bleaches can cause serious damage (garment discoloration in
particular) to delicate and
dry-clean only garments. Accordingly, the liquid cleaning compositions of the
present invention,
should most preferably be substantially free of bleaches and include an enzyme
cocktail that is
less harsh than the enzymes typically used in a laundry detergent composition.
Stated otherwise,
the liquid cleaning compositions herein should be formulated so as not to
damage fabrics by
causing discoloration, abrasion or other adverse effects.
Consequently, while conventional laundry detergents are usually formulated to
provide
good cleaning on cotton and cotton/polyester blend fabrics, the compositions
here must be
formulated to also safely and effectively clean and refresh fabrics such as
wool, silk, rayon,
alpaca fleece, fine cotton and blends of the aforementioned fabrics. In
addition, the compositions
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herein comprise ingredients which are specially selected and formulated to
minimize the
migration of fugitive dyes from stain sites.
Accordingly, the present invention also includes a wash pretreatment
composition. The
formulation for the wash pretreatment composition is selected from among the
same ingredients
and compositional ranges and with an even stricter requirement for fabric
mildness as the liquid
cleaning composition. The wash pretreatment composition is applied directly to
the stained area
of the garment by the use of an applicator (described in greater detail
herein) after which the
stained area of the garment may or may not be rinsed off with water.
Alternatively, the liquid
cleaning composition may be used as the wash pretreatment composition and no
separate wash
pretreatment composition is needed.
The liquid cleaning composition is then subsequently mixed with water in a
washing
machine in the customary fashion to form an aqueous laundry detergent solution
suitable for
immersion cleaning of garments.
It has now been discovered that when the applicator, the liquid cleaning
composition and
the..wash pretreatment composition are used in the manner described herein,
excellent spot and
stain removal performance are obtained even though the aforementioned liquid
cleaning
compositions are specially formulated to be mild and gentle. In addition to
the foregoing
considerations, the compositions used herein are preferably formulated such
that they are easily
dispensed and not so adhesive in nature that they render the stain-removal
applicator unwieldy or
difficult to use. It is understood that the "active adjunct" materials used
will vary, depending on
the intended end-use of the final composition. The following are intended only
to be nonlimiting
illustrations of such active adjuncts, more examples of which will readily
come to mind of the
skilled formulator.
Detersive Surfactants- Surfactants are known to have potentially harsh effects
on fabrics.
Typically, the compositions herein will comprise from about 3% to about 40%,
more preferably
from about 10% to about 25%, most preferably from about 15% to about 20%, by
weight of
detersive surfactants.
Nonlimiting examples of surfactants useful herein include the unsaturated
sulfates such
as oleyl sulfate, the CIO-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates ("AEXS"; especially EO 1-7
ethoxy sulfates),
CI O-C18 alkyl aikoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates),
and primary,
branched-chain and random C10-C20 alkyl sulfates ("AS"), the C10-C18 secondary
(2,3) alkyl
sulfates of the formula CH3(CH2)x(CHOSO3 M+) CH3 and CH3 (CH2)y(CHOSO3 M+)
CH2CH3 where x, and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at
least about 9, and M is
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a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, the C] 0_ 1 g glycerol ethers,
the C l 0-C 1 g alkyl
polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C I 2-C 18
aipha-sulfonated
fatty acid esters. If desired, the conventional nonionic and amphoteric
surfactants such as the
C12-CI g alkyl ethoxylates ("AE") including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl
ethoxylates and
C6-C 12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed
ethoxy/propoxy), C 12-C 18
betaines and sul fobetaines ("sultaines"), C 10-C 18 amine oxides, and the
like, can also be
included in the overall compositions. The C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty
acid amides can
also be used. Typical examples include the C 1 2-C 18 N-methylglucamides. See
WO 9,206,154.
Other sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid
amides, such as
C10-CI g N-(3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl through N-hexyl C12-C18
glucamides
can be used for low sudsing. C10-C20 conventional soaps may also be used. If
high sudsing is
desired, the branched-chain C 10-C 16 soaps may be used. Mixtures of anionic
and nonionic
surfactants as well as predominantly nonionic surfactant systems are
especially useful. Other
conventional useful surfactants are listed in standard texts.
Builders - The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise one
or more
detergent builders or builder systems. When present, the compositions will
typically comprise
from about 0.01 /a to about 35%, more preferably from about 1% to about 25%,
most preferably
from about 2% to about 8% by weight, of detergent builder.
Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention
include, but
are not restricted to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used
herein,
"polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate
groups, preferably at
least 3 carboxylates. Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the
composition in acid
form, but can also be added- in the form of a neutralized salt. When utilized
in salt form, alkali
metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are
preferred.
Citrate builders, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly
sodium salt), are
polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for the present detergent
formulations due to
their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradability.
Fatty acids are also important carboxylate builders for the present invention.
The fatty
acids disclosed herein may contain from about 1 to about 10 ethylene oxide
units in the
hydrocarbon chain. Preferred are saturated fatty acids containing from about
12 to about 16
carbon atoms.
Suitable saturated fatty acids can be obtained from natural sources such as
plant or
animal esters (e.g., stripped palm kernel oil, stripped palm oil and coconut
oil) or synthetically
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prepared (e.g., via the oxidation of petroleum or by hydrogenation of carbon
monoxide via the
Fisher-Tropsch process). Examples of suitable saturated fatty acids for use in
the compositions
of this invention include capric, lauric, myristic, coconut and palm kernel
fatty acid. Preferred
are saturated coconut fatty acids, from about 5:1 to 1:1 (preferably about 3:1
) weight ratio
mixtures of lauric and myristic acid, mixtures of the above with minor amounts
(e.g.,10%-30%
of total fatty acid) of oleic acid; and stripped palm kernel fatty acid.
Included among the polycarboxylate builders are a variety of categories of
useful
materials. One important category of polycarboxylate builders encompasses the
ether
polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in U.S. 3,128,287
Berg, issued April
7,1964, and U.S. 3,635,830 Lamberti et al., issued January 18,1972. See also
"TMS/TDS"
builders of U.S. 4,663,071 Bush et al., issued May 5,1987. Suitable ether
polycarboxylates also
include cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds, such as those
described in U.S.
3,923,679 Rapko, issued December 2,1975; U.S. 4,158,635 Crutchfield et al.,
issued June
19,1979; U.S. 4,120,874 Crutchfield et al., issued October 17,1978; and U.S.
4,102,903
Crutchfield et al., issued July 25,1978.
Other useful detergency builders include the ether hydroxypolycarboxylates,
copolymers
of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy
benzene-2, 4, 6-
trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali
metal, ammonium and
substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediamine
tetraacetic acid and
nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid,
succinic acid,
oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid,
carboxymethyloxysuccinic
acid, and soluble salts thereof. -
Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. 4,144,226, Crutchfield
et al., issued
March 13,1979 and in U.S. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7,1967. See also
Diehl U.S. Patent
3,723,322.
Enzvmes- Enzymes can be included in the formulations herein for a wide variety
of
fabric laundering purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-
based, or
triglyceride-based stains, for the prevention of fugitive dye transfer and for
fabric restoration. A
suitable enzyme is one which can be applied to the surface of a delicate or
dry-clean only
garment without causing visible or significant damage. Therefore, the
selection of enzymes must
be a balance of cleaning efficacy versus mildness and gentleness when applied
to delicate or dry-
clean only garments. The enzymes to be incorporated include proteases,
amylases, mannanase
and lipases as well as mixtures thereof. Other types of enzymes may also be
included. They may
be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and
yeast origin. However,
their choice is governed by several factors such as pH-activity and/or
stability optima,
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thermostability, stability versus active surfactants, builders and so on. In
this respect bacterial or
fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases.
"Detersive Enzymes," as used herein, means any enzyme having a cleaning, stain
removing or other-wise beneficial effect in a laundry composition. Enzymes are
normally
incorporated into detergent or detergent additive compositions at levels
sufficient to provide a
"cleaning-effective amount." The term "cleaning effective amount" refers to
any amount capable
of producing a cleaning, stain removal, soil removal, whitening, deodorizing,
or freshness
improving effect on garments. In practical terms for cunent conunercial
preparations, typical
amounts are up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of
active enzyme per
gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will
typically comprise from
about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably 0.01%-1.0% by weight of a commercial
enzyme
preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial
preparations at levels
sufficient to provide from 0.0005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram
of composition.
Suitable examples of proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from
particular
strains of Bacillus sublilis and Bacillus licheniforms. Another suitable
protease is obtained from
a strain ofBacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12,
developed and
sold by Novo Industries A/S under the registered trade mark ESPERASE . The
preparation of
this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in British Patent Specification
No. 1,243,784 of
Novo Industries A/S. Proteolytic enzymes suitable for removing protein-based
stains that are
commercially available include those sold under the trademarksALCALASE and
SAVINASEQtI by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark) and MAXATASE by Intennational
Bio-
Synthetics, Inc. (The Netherlands). Other proteases include Protease A (see
European Patent
Application 130,756, published January 9, 1985) and Protease B (see European
Patent
Application 251446 published January 7, 1988, and European Patent Application
130,756,
Bott et al, published January 9, 1985).
Amylases include, for example, amylases described in British Patent
Specification No.
1,296,839 (Novo Industries A1S), RA.PIDASE , Intemational Bio-Synthetics, Inc.
and
TERMAMYi. and DURAMYL , Novo Industries A/S.
Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by
microorganisms
of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stuizeri ATCC 19.154, as
disclosed in British
Patent 1,372,034. See also lipases in Japanese Patent Application 53/20487,
laid open to public
inspection on February 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Arnano
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.,
Nagoya, Japan, under the trade mark Lipase P AMANO , hereinafter referred to
as "Amano-P."
Other commercial lipases include AMANO-CES , lipases from Chromobacter
viscasum, e.g.
Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NRRLB 3673, commercially available from
Toyo Jozo
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Co., Tagata, Japan; and further Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S.
Biochemical Corp.,
U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases from Pseudonionas
gladioli. The
LIPaOLASE enzyme derived from Humicola lanuginosa and commercially available
from Novo
Industries A/S(see also EPO 341,947) is a preferred lipase for use herein.
Enzyme Stabilizing System-The compositions of the present invention may
comprise
from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, most
preferably
from about 0.01 % to about 6%, by weight of an enzyme stabilizing system. The
enzyme
stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the
detersive enzyme.
Such a system may be inherently provided by other formulation actives, or be
added separately,
e.g., by the formulator or by a manufacturer of detergent-ready enzymes. Such
stabilizing
systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol,
short chain
carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and mixtures thereof, and are designed to
address different
stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the
detergent composition.
One possible stabilizing approach is by use of borate species. See Severson,
U.S. Pat.
No 4,537,706. Borate stabilizers, when used, may be at levels of up to 10% or
more of the
composition though more typically, levels of up to about 3% by weight of boric
acid or other
borate compounds such as borax or orthoborate are suitable for liquid
detergent use. Substituted
boric acids such as phenylboronic acid, butaneboronic acid, p-
bromophenylboronic acid or the
like can be used in place of boric acid and reduced levels of total boron in
detergent compositions
may be possible though the use of such substituted boron derivatives.
Stabilizing systems of certain cleaning compositions may further comprise from
0 to
about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight, of chlorine
bleach scavengers,
added to prevent chlorine bleach species present in many water supplies from
attacking and
inactivating the enzymes, especially under alkaline conditions. While chlorine
levels in water
may be small, typically in the range from about 0.5 ppm to about 1.75 ppm, the
available
chlorine in the total volume of water that comes in contact with the enzyme,
for example during
fabric washing, can be relatively large; accordingly, enzyme stability to
chlorine in-use is
sometimes problematic. Suitable chlorine scavenger anions are widely known and
readily
available, and, if used, can be salts containing ammonium cations with
sulfite, bisulfite,
thiosulfite, thiosulfate, iodide, etc. Antioxidants such as carbamate,
ascorbate, etc., organic
amines such as ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) or alkali metal salt
thereof,
monoethanolamine (MEA), and mixtures thereof can likewise be used.
Likewise, special enzyme inhibition systems can be incorporated such that
different
enzymes have maximum compatibility. Other conventional scavengers such as
bisulfate, nitrate,
chloride, phosphate, condensed phosphate, acetate, benzoate, citrate, formate,
lactate, malate,
CA 02531234 1999-10-22
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tartrate, salicylate, etc., and mixtures thereof can be used if desired. In
general, since the chlorine
scavenger function can be performed by ingredients separately listed under
better recognized
functions, there is no absolute requirement to add a separate chlorine
scavenger unless a
compound performing that function to the desired extent is absent from an
enzyme-containing
embodiment of the invention; even then, the scavenger is added only for
optimum results.
Moreover, the formulator will exercise a chemist's normal skill in avoiding
the use of any
enzyme scavenger or stabilizer which is majorly incompatible, as formulated,
with other reactive
ingredients, if used.
The compositions of the present invention may contain any of the water-soluble
formates
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,818, Letton et al, issued Mar. 9,1982.
Formate is present at a level of from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from
about
0.2% to about 2%, most preferably from about 0.4% to about 1.5%, by weight of
the
composition.
Other suitable detergent ingredients that can be added are enzyme stabilizers
are the
enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in European Patent application
553607 published August 4, 1993. Examples of such enzyme oxidation scavengers
are
ethoxylated tetraethylene polyamines.
Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various other techniques as
well, for
example those disclosed and exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,319,
Aug.17,1971, Gedge et al,
EP 199,405 and EP 200,586, Oct. 29,1986, Venegas. Enzyme stabilization systems
are also
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,570. A useful Bacillus, sp.
ACl3 giving proteases,
xylanases and cellulases, is described in WO 9401532 A to Novo. A wide range
of enzyme
materials and means for their incorporation into synthetic detergent
compositions are also
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,553,139, issued January 5, 1971 to McCarty et
al. Enzymes are
further disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,101,457, Place et al, issued July 18,
1978, and in U.S.
Patent No. 4,507,219, Hughes, issued March 26, 1985. Enzyme materials useful
for liquid
detergent formulations, and their incorporation into such formulations, are
disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,261,868, Hora et al, issued April 14, 1981. Bnzymes for use in
detergents can be
stabilized by various techniques. Enzyme stabilization techniques are
disclosed and exemplified
in U.S. Patent No. 3,600,319, issued August 17, 1971 to Gedge, et al. Enzyme
stabilization
systems are also described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,519,570.
Particulate Soil Removal/Anti-redeposition A ents-The compositions of the
present
invention can also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having
clay soil removal
and anti-redeposition properties. Liquid detergent compositions typically
contain about 0.01 % to
about 5%.
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The most prefen=ed soil release and anti-redeposition agent is ethoxylated
tetraethylene-
Pentamine ("TEPA"). On average, tetraethylene-pentamine is ethoxylated with 15-
18 moles of
ethylene oxide at each hydrogen site. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further
described in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued Jul.1,1986. Another group of preferred
clay soil
removal-aiitiredeposition agents are the cationic compounds disclosed in
European Patent
Application 111,965, Oh and Gosselink, published Jun. 27,1984. Other clay soil
removal/antiredeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated
amine polymers
disclosed in European Patent Application 111,984, Gosselink, published Jun.
27,1984; the
zwitterionic polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 112,592,
Gosselink, published
Jul. 4,1984; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,744,
Connor, issued Oct. 22,
1985. Other clay soil removal and/or anti-redeposition agents known in the art
can also be
utilized in the compositions herein. Another type of preferred anti-
redeposition agent includes
the carboxy methyl cellulosc (CMC) materials. These materials are well known
in the art.
Dye Transfer Inhibiting Aeents-An important part of the present invention is
providing
color care for delicate gannents and fabrics which are cleaned according to
the aqueous cleaning
processes described herein. Thus, the compositions of the present invention
may also include one
or more materials effective for inhibiting the transfer of dyes from one
fabric to another during
the cleaning process. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include
polyvinyl pyrrolidone
polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-
vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof.
If used, these
agents typically comprise from about 0.01 % to about 10% by weight of the
composition,
preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%, and more preferably from about 0.05%
to about 2%.
More specifically, the polyamine N-oxide polymers suitable for use herein
contain units
having the following structural formula: R-Ax-P; wherein P is a polymerizable
unit to which an
N-O group can be attached or the N-O group can form part of the polymerizable
unit or the N-O
group can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: -
NC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -S-, -
0-, -N=; x is 0 or 1; and R is aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatics,
heterocyclic or alicyclic
groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can
be attached or the
N-O group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those
wherein R is a
heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine,
piperidine and derivatives
thereof.
The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures:
CA 02531234 1999-10-22
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O 0
I I
(RI)x- + -(R2)y; =N---(Ri)x
(R3)Z
wherein Rl, R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups
or combinations
thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can be
attached or form part of
any of the aforementioned groups. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-
oxides has a pKa
<10, preferably pKa <7, more preferred pKa <6.
Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is
water-
soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable
polymeric backbones are
polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides,
polyacrylates and
mixtures thereof. These polymers include random or block copolymers where one
monomer type
is an amine N-oxide and the other monomer type is an N-oxide. The amine N-
oxide polymers
typically have a ratio of amine to the amine N-oxide of 10:1 to 1:1,000,000.
However, the
number of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be
varied by
appropriate copolymerization or by an appropriate degree of N-oxidation. The
polyamine oxides
can be obtained in ahnost any degree of polymerization. Typically, the average
molecular weight
is within the range of 500 to 1,000,000; more preferred 1,000 to 500,000; most
preferred 5,000 to
100,000.
An example of a polyamine N-oxide useful in the detergent compositions herein
is
poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) which as an average molecular weight of about
50,000 and an
amine to amine N-oxide ratio of about 1:4. This preferred class of materials
can be referred to as
"PVNO".
Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole polymers (referred to as
a class
as "PVPVI") are also suitable for use herein. Preferably the PVPVI has an
average molecular
weight range from 5,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 200,000,
and most
preferably from 10,000 to 20,000. (The average molecular weight range is
determined by light
scattering as described in Barth, et al., Chemical Analvsis. Vol 113. "Modern
Methods of
Polymer Characterization".) The
PVPVI copolymers typically have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-
vinylpyrrolidone from
1:1 to 0.2:1., more preferably from 0.8:1 to 0.3:1, most preferably from 0.6:1
to 0.4: l. These
copolymers can be either linear or branched.
The present invention compositions also may employ a polyvinylpyrrolidone
("PVP")
having an average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 400,000,
preferably from about
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5,000 to about 200,000, and more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000.
PVP's are known
to persons slalled in the detergent field; see, for example, EP-A-262,897 and
EP-A-256,696.
Compositions containing PVP can also contain polyethylene
glycol ("PEG") having an average molecular weight from about 500 to about
100,000, preferably
from about 1,000 to about 10,000. Preferably, the ratio of PEG to PVP on a ppm
basis delivered
in wash solutions is from about 2:1 to about 50:1, and more preferably from
about 3:1 to about
10:1.
Additional Color Care Agents-In addition to the dye transfer inhibitors, the
present
invention further comprises an additional agent to provide color care
benefits: 30
polyethyleneimine, PEI 600 E20, having the general formula:
E B
I I
[E2NCH2CH2]w [NCHzCHz]x [NCHzCHz)Y NE,-
wherein B is a continuation by branching of the polyethyleneimine backbone. E
is an
ethyleneoxy unit having the formula:
-(CH2CH2O)mH
wherein m has an average value of about 20. What is meant herein by an average
value of 20 is
that sufficient ethylene oxide or other suitable reagent is reacted with the
polyethyleneimine
starting material to fully ethoxylate each N-H unit to a degree of 20
ethoxylations. However,
those skilled in the art will realize that some N-H unit hydrogen atoms will
be replaced by less
than 20 ethoxy units and some will be replaced by more than 20 ethoxy units,
therefore, the
average of the number of ethoxylations is 20.
The units which make up the polyalkyleneimine backbones are primary amine
units
having the formula:
H2N-CH2CH2]- and -NH2
which terminate the main backbone and any branching chains, secondary amine
units having the
formula:
H
(
-[N-CH2CH2)-
and which, after modification, have their hydrogen atom substituted by an
average of 20
ethyleneoxy units, and tertiary amine units having the formula:
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B
-[N- CH2CH71-
which are the branching points of the main and secondary backbone chains, B
representing a
continuation of the chain structure by branching. The tertiary units have no
replaceable hydrogen
atom and are therefore not modified by substitution with ethyleneoxy units.
During the
formation of the polyamine backbones, cyclization may occur, therefore, an
amount of cyclic
polyamine can be present in the parent polyalkyleneimine backbone mixture.
Each primary and
secondary amine unit of the cyclic alkyleneimines undergoes modification by
the addition of
alkyleneoxy units in the same manner as linear and branched
polyalkyleneimines.
The indices w, x, and y have values such that the average molecular weight of
the
polyethyleneimine backbone prior to modification is about 600 daltons. In
addition, those skilled
in the art will recognize that each branch chain must terminate in a primary
amine unit, therefore
the value of the index w is y + 1 in the case where no cyclic amine backbones
are present. The
average molecular weight for each ethylene backbone unit, -NCH2CH2-, is
approximately 42
daltons.
The polyamines of the present invention can be prepared, for example, by
polymerizing
ethyleneimine in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium
bisulfite, sulfuric acid,
hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc. Specific methods for
preparing these
polyamine backbones are disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,182,306, Ulrich et al.,
issued December 5,
1939; U.S. Patent 3,033,746, Mayle et al., issued May 8,1962; U.S. Patent
2,208,095, Esselmann
et al., issued July 16,1940; U.S. Patent 2,806,839, Crowther, issued September
17,1957; and U.S.
Patent 2,553,696, Wilson, issued May 21,1951,
Suds Sugpressors- Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds
can
be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. Suds
suppression can be of
particular importance in the so-called "high concentration cleaning process"
as descn'bed in U.S.
Patent Nos. 4,489,455 and 4,489,574 and in front-loading European-style
washing machines.
A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds
suppressors are
well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
1979). One
category of suds suppressor of particular interest encompasses monocarboxylic
fatty acid and
soluble salts therein. See U.S. Patent No. 2,954,347, issued September 27,
1960 to Wayne St.
John. The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof used as suds suppressor
typically have
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hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon
atoms. Suitable
salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, and lithium
salts, and ammonium
and alkanolammonium salts.
The detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant suds
suppressors.
These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as
paraffin, fatty acid
esters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent
alcohols, aliphatic C18-C40
ketones (e.g., stearone), etc. Other suds inhibitors include N-alkylated amino
triazines such as
tri- to hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra-alkyldiamine chlortriazines,
monostearyl phosphates
such as monostearyl alcohol phosphate ester and monostearyl di-alkali metal
(e.g., K, Na, and Li)
phosphates and phosphate esters. The hydrocarbons such as paraffin and
haloparaffin can be
utilized in liquid form. The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room
temperature and
atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point in the range of about -40 C
and about 50 C, and
a minimum boiling point not less than about I 10 C (atmospheric pressure). It
is also known to
utilize waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below about 100
C. The
hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of suds suppressor for detergent
compositions.
Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No.
4,265,779, issued
May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. The hydrocarbons, thus, include aliphatic,
alicyclic, aromatic,
and heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons having from about 12 to
about 70 carbon
atoms. The term "paraffm," as used in this suds suppressor discussion, is
intended to include
mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons.
Another preferred category of non-surfactant suds suppressors comprises
silicone suds
suppressors. This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such
as
polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils oi
resins, and
combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles wherein the
polyorganosiloxane is
chemisorbed or fused onto the silica. Silicone suds suppressors are well known
in the art and are,
for example, disclosed in U.S. PatentNo. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to
Gandolfo et al and
European Patent Applicatior, 354016, published February 7, 1990, by M. Starch.
Other silicone suds suppressors are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,455,839
which relates
to compositions and processes for defoaming aqueous solutions by incorporating
therein small
amounts of polydimethylsiloxane fluids. Mixtures of silicone and silanated
silica are described,
for instance, in German Patent Application DOS 2,124,526.
In the preferred silicone suds suppressor used herein, the solvent for a
continuous phase
is made up of certain polyethylene glycols or polyethylene-polypropylene
glycol copolymers or
mixtures thereof, or polypropylene glycol. The primary silicone suds
suppressor is
branched/crosslinked and preferably not linear.
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. -20-
The silicone suds suppressor herein preferably comprises polyethylene glycol
and a
copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, all having an average
molecular weight
of less than about 1,000, preferably between about 100 and 800. The
polyethylene glycol and
polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers herein have a solubility in water at
room temperature of
more than about 2 percent of the composition by weight, preferably more than
about 5 percent of
the composition by weight.
The preferred solvent herein is polyethylene glycol having an average
molecular weight
of less than about 1,000, more preferably between about 100 and 800, most
preferably between
200 and 400, and a copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol,
preferably PPG
200/PEG 300. Prefen-ed is a weight ratio of between about 1:1 and 1: 10, most
preferably
between 1:3 and 1:6, of polyethylene glycol:copolymer of polyethylene-
polypropylene glycol.
The preferred silicone suds suppressors used herein do not contain
polypropylene glycol,
particularly of 4,000 molecular weight. They also preferably do not contain
block copolymers of
ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, like PLURONIC L 101 .
Other suds suppressors useful herein comprise the secondary alcohols (e.g., 2-
alkyl
alkanols) and mixtures of such alcohols with silicone oils, such as the
silicones disclosed in U.S.
Pat Nos. 4,798,679,4,075,118 and EP 150,872. The secondary alcohols include
the C6-C16
alkyl alcohols having a CI-C16 chain. A preferred alcohol is 2-butyl octanol,
which is available
from Condea under the trademark ISOFOL 12 . Mixtures of secondary alcohols are
available
under the trademark ISALCHEM 123 from Enichem. Mixed suds suppressors
typically
comprise mixtures of alcohol + silicone at a weight ratio of 1:5 to 5:1.
For the present detergent compositions which are to be used in laundry washing
machines, suds should not form to the extent that they overflow the washing
machine. Suds
suppressors, when utilized, are preferably present in a "suds suppressing
amount". By "suds
suppressing amount" is meant that the formulator of the composition can select
an amount of this
suds controlling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in a
low-sudsing laundry
detergent for use in automatic laundry washing machines.
The compositions herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 5% of suds
suppressor. When utilized as suds suppressors, monocarboxylic fatty acids, and
salts therein, will
be present typically in amounts up to about 5%, by weight, of the detergent
composition.
Preferably, from about 0.5% to about 3% of fatty monocarboxylate suds
suppressor is utilized.
Silicone suds suppressors are typically utilized in amounts up to about 2.0%,
by weight, of the
detergent composition, although higher amounts may be used. This upper limit
is practical in
nature, due primarily to concern with keeping costs minimized and
effectiveness of lower
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amounts for effectively controlling sudsing. Preferably from about 0.01% to
about 1% of silicone
suds suppressor is used, more preferably from about 0.25% to about 0.5%. As
used herein, these
weight percentage values include any silica that may be utilized in
combination with
polyorganosiloxane, as well as any adjunct materials that may be utilized.
Monostearyl
phosphate suds suppressors are generally utilized in amounts ranging from
about 0.1% to about
2%, by weight, of the composition. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are typically
utilized in
amounts ranging from about 0.01% to about 5.0%, although higher levels can be
used. The
alcohol suds suppressors are typically used at 0.2%-3% by weight of the
finished compositions.
Polymeric Soil Release Agent- Soil release agents may be used in the present
invention. If so they will generally comprise from about 0.0 1% to about
10.0%, by weight, of the
detergent compositions herein, typically from about 0.1% to about 5%,
preferably from about
0.2% to about 3.0%.
Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can
optionally be
employed in the compositions and processes of this invention. Polymeric soil
release agents are
characterized by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface
of hydrophobic
fibers, such as polyester and its blends, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit
upon hydrophobic
fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing
cycles and thus,
serve as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains
occurring subsequent to
treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in later
washing procedures.
The polymeric soil release agents useful herein especially include those soil
release
agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting
essentially of (i)
polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or
(ii) oxypropylene or
polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10,
wherein said
hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is
bonded to adjacent
moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene
units comprising
oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units wherein said mixture
contains a
sufficient amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophile component has
hydrophilicity
great enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester
synthetic fiber surfaces
upon deposit of the soil release agent on such surface, said hydrophile
segments preferably
comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably,
especially for such
components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50%
oxyethylene units; or
(b) one or more hydrophobe components comprising (i) C3 oxyalkylene
terephthalate segments,
wherein, if said hydrophobe components also comprise oxyethylene
terephthalate, the ratio of
oxyethylene terephthalate:C3 oxyalkylene terephthalate units is about 2:1 or
lower, (ii) C4-C6
CA 02531234 1999-10-22
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alkylene or oxy C4-C6 alkylene segments, or mixtures therein, (iii) poly
(vinyl ester) segments,
preferably polyvinyl acetate), having a degree of polymerization of at least
2, or (iv) C1-C4 alkyl
ether or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether substituents, or mixtures therein, wherein said
substituents are
present in the form of CI-C4 alkyl ether or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose
derivatives, or
mixtures therein, and such cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic, whereby they
have a sufficient
level of Cl-C4 alkyl ether and/or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether units to deposit upon
conventional
polyester synthetic fiber surfaces and retain a sufficient level of hydroxyls,
once adhered to such
conventional synthetic fiber surface, to increase fiber surface
hydrophilicity, or a combination of
(a) and (b). Other suitable polymeric soil release agents are disclosed in
U.S. Patent No.
5,415,807, issued May 16, 1995 to Gosselink .
Other Components-Other optional ingredients for the compositions herein
include but
are not limited to hydrotropes, antibacterial agents, additional enzyme
stabilizers and perfumes.
Especially desirable are anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric
crisping agents and
other fabric color protection agents. The pH of the composition as disclosed
here will be
between 5 and 9.
THE FLEXTBLE WRAP CONTAINER
The action of the agitator in a clothes washer has long been known to expose
delicate
fabrics to sufficient abrasion and stress that severe damage can occur as a
result. As a result,
bags have been developed which can be used in a washing machine to protect
these garments
from abrasion and stress. Nonetheless these have proved unsatisfactory for a
variety of reasons.
First, they are generally too small to contain anything but one or two small
garments-and even
then may bunch-up the garments and exacerbate wrinkling and shape loss.
Second, many of
these bags do not have a reliable closure means, and so the bag often comes
open during
washing, depriving the garments of the protection the bag is supposed to
provide and likely
increasing the abrasion and wear on the garments. Third, these bags are often
constructed to
have an outer shell made of a grid-like netting which allows contact between
the wash liquor and
the garment to provide cleaning benefits; but this grid-like pattern can also
leave an identical grid
impression on the garments contained inside. Such a pattern may be virtually
impossible to iron
out. Fourth, these bags are generally too thin and do not provide enough
cushion from the
abrasion and stress that a delicate garment may experience in a laundry
washing machine.
A preferred flexible wrap container ("wrap") made in accordance with the
present
invention which remedies many of these problems is shown in figures 1, 1 A and
2. The wrap
122 comprises a single, preferably rectangular, panel 100. The dimensions of
the panel 100 are
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such that the width will be about 31 cm to about 91 cm and the length will be
about 55 cm to
about 117 cm; more preferred is a width of about 41 cm to about 81 cm and a
length of about 66
cm to about 107 cm and most preferred is a width of about 51 cm to about 71 cm
and a length of
about 76 cm to about 97 cm. In a rectangular embodiment as depicted in Figure
1, the distance
from the top edge of the panel 102 to the bottom edge of the panel 101 is
greater than the
distance from the right edge of the panel 103 to the left edge of the panel
104.
The wrap further comprises one or more straps 108 which are attached adjacent
to the top
edge of the panel 102. At an end of each strap is a first fastening device 109
which is fixably and
permanently attached to each strap 108 so that its position on the strap does
not change. A
second fastening device 106 is preferably attached to each strap by passing
the strap through the
fastening device in such a way that changing its position on the strap, the
length of the strap 105
can be increased or decreased. The first and second fastening devices
cooperate to secure the
flexible wrap container in a roll-like shape during use (see, e.g., Fig. 7).
Additionally, two
pockets 110 are attached adjacent to the top edge of the panel in the manner
shown by Figures 1,
lA, 2 and 3. As discussed more fully hereafter, the pockets 110 are used for
storing the straps
and fastening devices when they are not needed.
The fastening devices used herein are reusable mechanical fasteners. Any
reusable
mechanical fastener or fastening means can be used. Non-limiting examples
include: fasteners
wherein said first and second fastening devices, together, comprise a hook and
loop (VELCRO -
type) fastener; hook fasteners such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,247 to
Thomas & Blaney
issued October 22,1991; fasteners wherein said first and second fastening
devices, together,
comprise a hook and string type fastener; fasteners wherein said first and
second fastening
devices, together, comprise a toggle-type fastener; fasteners wherein said
first and second
fastening devices, together, form a snap-type fastener; as well as hook and
eye fasteners, zipper-
' type fasteners, releasable buckle type fasteners as used in U.S. Pat. No.
5,330,141, to Kim, issued
July 19,1994, and the like, so long as the fasteners will not cause tearing or
abrasion of the
garments contained inside the bag. As will be apparent, a single fastening
device can also be
utilized with one or more straps to secure the wrap container as a roll.
The flexible wrap container may be constructed from a woven polyester layer or
woven
nylon layer or a combination thereof. The flexible wrap may also be made from
a nonwoven
polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester. The flexible wrap is preferably
constructed to have a
density greater than the density of water at standard temperature and pressure
so that the flexible
wrap container is more likely to sink in the wash water and thus will provide
better wetting and
rinsing to a garment contained therein. The material should be flexible, yet
durable enough to be
used for multiple uses. To insure that water can easily penetrate through the
wrap material to
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contact the articles of clothing contained inside, the wrap should be provided
with a series of
holes or other openings or the wrap material should be permeable to water.
Referring now to figure 8, the manner in which the wrap is used in the present
invention
is straightforward. A garment 120 is placed on the panel portion of the wrap
100 with suitable
care exercised so that no part of a garment is outside the dimensions of the
panel. After placing
the garment on the panel, the wrap is then rolled, starting at the bottom edge
of the panel 101, as
one would roll a sleeping bag for storage purposes after being used. The wrap
should not be so
tightly rolled that the garment inside might be subject to excessive
wrinkling. When rolling is
completed the wrap 122 should be in the spiral shape as illustrated by Figure
7. As seen in
Figure 12, the length of each strap has been adjusted so that when the first
and second fastening
devices are engaged, the straps are tightly securing the rolled wrap.
Located adjacent to the bottom edge of the panel are at least two, preferably
at least four,
connecting means 107 which in a preferred embodiment are snap-type buttons.
The wraps are
constructed in such a way that an enlarged wrap 125 may be constructed by
attaching two wraps
to each other via the connecting means 107 located adjacent to the bottom edge
of each panel.
This construction can be seen in Figure 2. When the wraps are so connected,
the panel of one
wrap partially overlaps the panel of the other wrap as can be seen in Figure
2. An enlarged wrap
125 can accommodate larger ganments (such as a dress 121) than a single wrap
122.
When two. wraps are attached to each other via the connecting means 107
located
adjacent to the bottom edge of each panel as in the alternate embodiment
depicted in Figure 2,
there are an extra set of straps 108 and first and second fastening devices
106, 109. The straps
and the fastening devices are then placed for storage in the nearest attached
pocket 110.
In a preferred embodiment, the wrap further consists of two flaps 111,112. As
shown in
Figure 8, the flaps are attached to the panel along the right edge of the
panel 103 and along the
left edge of the panel 104. Each flap has a surface area of from about %z to I
times the surface
area of the panel to which it is attached. So when the flaps are folded
inwardly and laid on top of
the panel area, they completely cover the panel, essentially adding a second
panel layer to the
wrap. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 1 A and 2, each flap has a mating
sinusoidal
design-although not an essential part of the present invention, the mating
sinusoidal shape
contributes to the overall integrity of the rolled wrap by fitting the two
flaps 111, 112 more
securely to each other than if the flaps had a conventional rectangular shape.
Figure lA shows
these two flaps: one being folded out 111 and one being folded over the panel
112. The flaps
111,112 and the panel 100 are also equipped with attaching devices 114 which
are located
adjacent to the top edge of the panel' 102. When attached to each other these
attaching devices
secure the flaps to the panel 100.
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In one embodiment of the present invention the wrap is constructed from four
different
layers as is shown in Figure 4. These four layers provide a significant amount
of cushioning to
the delicate garments which may be placed inside. The panel 100 is a layered
material,
comprising a core material 131 between a first layer material 130 and a second
layer material
132, the core material being polyester, the first layer material and the
second layer material being
nylon and the first flap and second flap each constructed from polyester.
Optionally, the second
layer material of nylon and the polyester material that forms the flaps are
woven in such a way
that they are provided with numerous small holes or pores through which water
may pass either
into or out of the interior of the rolled wrap while the second layer material
does not have any
such holes but is water permeable.
When the preferred flexible wrap container is used, it may contain two
ganments: one
placed directly on top of the panel and the other placed on top of the flaps
after they are folded
across the ganment on the panel.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, another preferred flexible wrap container made in
accordance
with the present invention is illustrated. The flexible wrap container 134
comprises the flexible
panel 100 and a first flap l 11 and a second flap 112. The first and second
flaps 111 and 112 each
preferably have a width about equal to the width of the flexible panel 100.
More preferably, the
first and second flaps 111 and 112 have a width between about 40 cm and about
70 cm for a
flexible panel 100 having a width between about 45 cm and about 72 cm. In
other words, the
first flap 111 preferably extends adjacent to the right edge of the panel 100
when the first flap
111 is folded about the left edge of the panel 100 and the second flap 112
preferably overlaps the
first flap 111 when folded about the right edge of the panel 100 and extends
adjacent to the left
edge of the panel 100. The flexible panel 100 and the first and second flaps
111 and 112 can be
provided as separate structures and attached to the flexible panel 100 or the
flexible panel 100
and the flaps 111 and 112 can be formed from a unitary material. While the
distal or unattached
edges 136 of the flaps 111 and 112 are illustrated as straight, other edge
configurations, such as
the previously described sinusoidal shape, can be provided. Further, three
attaching devices 114
(e.g., snaps, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, etc.) can be
provided along one or more
of the distal edges 136 of the flaps 111 and 112 to secure. the flaps to each
other and/or the
flexible panel 100.
Referring still to figures 8 and 9, the overlapping flaps I 11 and 112 deliver
several
benefits. For example, the increased width of the flaps 1 l 1 and 112 moves
the distal edges 136
of the overlapping flaps 11 l and 112 toward the right and left edges of the
panel 100 and away
from contact with the garment 120. This can reduce the likelihood that seams
or stitching of the
distal edges 136 will leave an impression upon the garment 120 during use of
the flexible wrap
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container 134. The overlapping flaps 111 and 112 provide an additional layer
of protection for
the garment 120 and can reduce the risk that portions of the garment 120 will
"escape" from the
flexible wrap container 134. Overlapping flaps 111 and 112 also provide a
flexible wrap
container which can acconunodate more than one garment. For example, the flaps
111 and 112
are extended to expose the flexible panel 100, as shown in Fig. 8. The garment
120 is placed
over the flexi'ble panel 100 and one of the flaps 111 or 112 is folded over
the garment 120 as
shown in Fig. 10 (flap 111 being illustrated as folded over the garment).
Garment 138 is then
placed over the folded flap (e.g., flap 111) and the remaining flap (e.g.,
flap 112) is folded over
the garment 138 and secured using the attaching devices 114, if provided. The
flexible wrap
container 134 is then rolled and secured using the first and second fastening
devices 106 and 109.
While the width of the overlapping flaps 111 and 112 is discussed herein as
preferably
extending to adjacent the right and left edges of the panel 100, the width of
the overlapping flaps
111 and 112 can be between about one half and the full width of the panel 100.
Alternatively,
although less prefetred, a single flap having a width equal to about the width
of the panel 100 can
be provided in place of the two overlapping flaps 111 and 112. Such an
embodiment would
preferably include attaching devices 114 to secure the single flap to the
flexible panel.
Yet another preferred flexible wrap container is illustrated in Fig. 11. The
flexible wrap
container 140 comprises a flexible panel 100 having a body 142 with a right
edge, left edge, and
a bottom edge. The flexible panel 100 also has a tapered top portion 144 which
is attached to the
body 142. The top portion 144 has an apex 146 which is located at about the
mid-point of the
body 142. The length of the tapered top portion 144 is preferably at least
about one half of the
length of the body 142. More preferably, the length of the top portion 144 is
between about 40
cm and about 50 cm for a body having a length between about 75 cm and about 80
cm. A single
strap 108 is attached adjacent the apex 146 of the top portion 144. At an end
of the strap is a first
fastening device 109 which is fixably and permanently attached to the strap
108 so that its
position on the strap does not change. A second fastening device 106 is
attached to the strap as
previously discussed.
The inwardly tapering top portion 144 and/or provision of a single strap 106
adjacent its
apex 146 can provide several surprising benefits during use of the flexible
wrap container 140.
The tapered top portion 144, when rolled about the body 142 during use, as
shown in Fig. 12,
imparts additional structure to the rolled flexible wrap container 140 by
virtue of spiral layers
144 which encircle the body 142 when rolled. This additional structure assists
in retaining the
roll-like shape of the flexible wrap container 140 such that garments stored
within the wrap
require less finishing as the flexible wrap container 140 has a reduced
tendency to twist or unroll
from washing machine agitation. The flexible wrap container 140 with its a
centrally located
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strap 108 in combination with the tapered top portion 144 also better resists
the formation of gaps
between layers of the rolled wrap container through which portions of a
garment 120, such as
sleeves or a neck, can be extracted during washing machine agitation. While
the tapered top
portion 140 illustrated herein is preferred, other top portions can be
provided in accordance with
the present invention. For example, the top portion 144 may displaced from the
right and/or left
edges of the body 142 or be provided with a larger apex or less of a taper.
Referring to Figs. 13, 14, and 15, still a further preferred flexible wrap
container made in
accordance with one aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The
flexible wrap container
148 has a flexible panel 100 with a right edge, left edge, and bottom edge.
Disposed adjacent
each of the right and left edges of the panel 100 is a fence 150. The fences
150 can be provided
in place of the previously described flaps for retaining a garment within a
flexible wrap
container. The fences 150 can be formed from a pluraiity of loops 152 whose
ends 154 and 156
are attached to the flexible panel 100. The loops 152 can be formed from
polyester filaments, or
a similar material, and attached to the flexible panel 100 by stitching, heat
sealing, hot glue, cold
glue, ultrasonic welding, etc. The loops 152 are preferably formed into a
first row 158, wherein
the loops 152 of the first row are disposed end to end, and a second row 160,
wherein the end of
the loops are also disposed substantially end to end. Preferably, the first
loop 162 of the second
row 160 begins at about the mid-point of the first loop 164 of the first row
158, as shown in Fig.
13, and the opposite end of the first loop 162 of the second row 160
terminates at about the mid-
point of second loop 170 of the first row 158, although the beginning location
of the second row
can be varied. The loops preferably lay substantially flat when the flexible
wrap container is
unrolled and are flexible enough to rise away from the flexible panel 100 such
that loops from
the first and second rows 158 and 160 will overlap to form the open fence 150
having openings
172, as best seen in Fig. 13, through which wash water can flow but which are
small enough such
that the garment is unable to exit the flexible container wrap 148 during use.
The filaments
forming the loops preferably have a gauge between about 0.25 mm and about
3.175 mm and the
opening 172 have an open area between about 1.5 cm2 and about 4.8 cm2.
While the first and second rows 158 and 160 are described herein as distinct
rows, it will
be understood that a single row can be provided in place of two rows or that
more that two rows
can be used. Further, it will be appreciated that the gauge and spacing of the
loops can be
changed to achieve differing degrees of flexibility in the longitudinal
direction and garment
containment in the transverse direction. Further the longitudinal length of
the fences 150 can be
varied, although it is preferred that the length extend from adjacent to the
top edge of the panel
100 to adjacent to the bottom edge of the panel 100.
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THE WASH PRETREATMENT APPLICATOR
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, one style of the preferred wash pretreatment
applicator
employed in the stain-removal process of the present invention is a finger
mounted brush suitable
for spreading an amount of the pretreatment composition across the stained
area of fabric which,
along with a very gentle amount of force, allows the pretreatment composition
to penetrate into
the stain and provide efficacious cleaning benefits. This is, however, only a
preferred
embodiment as the applicator in the present invention may be as simple as a
human finger or any
other non-abrasive tool which can apply an effective amount of a wash
pretreatment composition
to a stained area of a garment while simultaneously effectively providing
mechanical action to
assist in the stain removal.
Figure 5 is a perspective illustration showing the applicator 310. The
applicator consists
of a substantially cylindrical tube 301 having an open end 302 and a closed
end 304. The tube
301 is sized and configured to fit snugly around a human finger with the
closed end of the tube
positioned adjacent to the tip of the finger and the open end of the tube
positioned adjacent the
second joint of the finger. Brush means 303 are disposed adjacent the closed
end portion 304 of
the tube 301. The brush means is enclosed within a oval or circle-shaped area
and extends
generally from the tip of the tube and partially down the side of the tube.
The brush means 303 is conveniently configured to apply an effective amount of
a wash
pre-treatment composition to a stain covering a localized area of fabric when
applied thereto with
a brushing motion. The brush means comprises a multiplicity of small bristles
provided as a bed
or mat that extend outwardly from the closed end portion of the tube 301. The
brush means may
comprise from about 30 to about 250 bristles per cm'. These bristles may be
from about 0.05 to
about 1.0 cm long. The bristles are formed as an integral part of the tube 301
during the
manufacture thereof such that the bristles and the tube are all fabricated
from the same unitary
piece of material. The applicator may be made out of any flexible plastic or
polymeric material
and may be constructed so as to be either durable or disposable.
For aesthetic purposes, ease of manufacture or any other reason the bristles
may be
an-anged in any pattern or grid provided that said pattern efficiently and
efficaciously applies -the
liquid cleaning composition to the localized area of fabric. The choice of the
source, style and
number of bristles are matters for the manufacture's discretion, and the
foregoing illustrations are
not intended to be limiting of the invention.
The wash pretreatment applicator herein should be of a size that it
comfortably fits or, a
human finger in the manner illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the
length of the tube
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301 with its generally cylindrical configuration is about 4.5 cm. The diameter
of the cylinder at
its open end is 2 cm.
RINSE CYCLE CONDTTIONER AND RINSE
CYCLE CONDITIONER DISPENSER
The present invention may also include a rinse cycle conditioner which is
preferably a
fabric softener. The fabric softener provides a number of important benefits.
In particular it may
provide for improved color fidelity, improved abrasion resistance and limit
excessive wrinkling.
In particular, fabric softeners help maintain fabric softness of garments like
silk, which can have
a rough feel after being washed in an aqueous laundry detergent.
The rinse cycle conditioner in the present invention, then it will be composed
of the
following materials. The following are intended only to be nonlimiting
illustrations of such
active adjuncts, more examples of which will readily come to mind of the
skilled formulator.
Diester Ouatemary Ammonium Compound The rinse cycle conditioner may contain
the
softening active DEQA compounds and compositions containing DEQA as an
essential
component: DEQA having the formula:
R4-rr>N+[(CH2)n1' R2)mx
wherein each Y=-O-(O)C-, or -C(O) -0-; m=2 or 3; each n=1 to 4; each R
substituent is a
short chain C, - C6, preferably C, - C3, alkyl group, e.g., methyl (most
preferred), ethyl, propyl,
and the like, benzyl or mixtures thereof; each RZ is a long chain, at least
partially unsaturated (IV
of greater than about 5 to less than about 100), Cõ - CZ, hydrocarbyl, or
substituted hydrocarbyl
substituent and the counterion, X', can be any softener-compatible anion, for
example, chloride,
bromide, methylsulfate, formate, sulfate, nitrate and the like. DEQA compounds
prepared with
fully saturated acyl groups are rapidly biodegradable and excellent softeners.
However, it has
now been discovered that compounds prepared with at least partially
unsaturated acyl groups
have many advantages (i.e., concentratability and good storage viscosity) and
are highly
acceptable for consumer products when certain conditions are met.
Also suitable for use in the present invention as a softening active are
amines of the
formula:
[(R)3m N (CH2)n Q-Rl
m
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wherein R' is independently C l-C6 alkyl, C l-C6 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and
mixtures thereof; R I
is preferably Cl l-C22 linear alkyl, C11-C22 branched alkyl, Cl 1-C22 linear
alkenyl, CI1-C22
branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof, Q is a carbonyl moiety independently
seltcted from the
units having the formula:
0 0 R2 O O R2
II li I ii li I
-O-C- , -C-O- , --N-C-- , -C-N-- 0
O
11
O R3 O O~-C--Rl Q
-O-C-O- , -CH-O--C--- , -CH-CH2--O-C-
wherein R2 is hydrogen, CI-C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen; R3 is CI-C4 alkyl,
preferably
hydrogen or methyl.
Princinal Solvents and HXdro ~ropes-The physical stability and softening
performance
of the rinse cycle conditioner can be improved by incorporation of certain
hydrotropes and
principal solvents. The level of principal solvent present in the compositions
of the present
invention is typically less than about 15%, preferably less than about 12%,
most preferably less
than about 10% by weight. Some embodiments of the present invention may
comprise no
principal solvent.
The principal solvents of the present invention are primarily used to obtain
liquid
compositions having sufficient clarity and viscosity. Principal solvents must
also be selected to
minimi~P solvent odor impact in the composition. For example, isopropyl
alcohol is not an
effective principal solvent in that it does not serve to produce a composition
having suitable
viscosity. Isopropanol also fails as a suitable principal solvent because it
has a relatively strong
odor.
Principal solvents are also selected for their ability to provide stable
compositions at low
temperatures, preferably compositions comprising suitable principal solvents
are clear or
translucent down to about 4 C and have the ability to fully recover their
clarity if stored as low as
about7 C.
CA 02531234 1999-10-22
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The principal solvents according to the present invention are selected based
upon their
octanol/water partition coefficient (P). The octanol/water partition
coefficient is a measure of the
ratio of the concentrations.of a particular principal solvent in octanol and
water at equilibrium.
The partition coefficients are conveniently expressed and reported as their
logarithm to the base
10; logP.
The logP of many principal solvent species has been reported; for example, the
Pomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems,
Inc.(Daylight
CIS), contains many, along with citations to the original literature.
The principal solvents suitable for use in the present invention are selected
from those
having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1, preferably from about 0.15 to
about 0.64, more
preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.62, most preferably from about 0.4 to
about 0.6.
Preferably the principal solvent is at least to some degree an asymmetric
molecule, preferably
having a melting, or solidification point which allows the principal solvent
to be liquid at or near
room temperature. Low molecular weight principal solvents may be desirable for
some
embodiments. More preferred molecules are highly asymmetrical.
However, highly symmetrical molecules inter alia 1,7-heptandiol, 1.4-
bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, and cyclohexane, have a center of synunetry
which precludes
their use as suitable principal solvents even thought they have ClogP values
which fall within the
desired range.
Preferred principal solvents include mono- alcohols, C6 diols, C7 diols, the
isomers of
octanediol, derivatives of butanediol, the isomers of trimethylpentanediol,
the isomers of
ethylmethylpentanediol, the isomers of propylpentanediol, the isomers of
dimethylhexanediol,
the isomers of ethylhexanediol, the isomers of methylheptanediol, the isomers
of octanediol, the
isomers of nonanediol, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, aryl
glyceryl ethers, the
derivatives of alicyclic diols, derivatives of alkoxylated C3-C7 diols, aryl
diols, and mixtures
thereof as disclosed in W097/03169 "Concentrated, Stable, Preferably Clear,
Fabric Softening
Composition".
Nonlimiting examples of preferred principal solvents include 1,2-hexanediol, 2-
ethyl-
1,3-hexanediol, alcohol ethoxylates of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-
1,3-pentanediol,
alcohol ethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, phenoxyethanol,.1,2-
cyclohexanedimethanol, and mixtures thereof.
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A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the combination of certain
principal
solvents. Non-limiting examples of prefen-ed combinations include 2,2,4-
triniethyl-1,3-
pentanediol (TNBD) in combination with 1,2-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol,
or mixtures
thereof. These solvent combinations provide increased phase stability across
storage
temperatures and fully recoverable compositions from below the water $vezing
point.
For the preceding ester fabric softening agents, the pH of the compositions
herein is an
important parameter of the present invention. Indeed, it influences the
stability of the quaternary
ammonium or amine precursors compounds, especially in prolonged storage
conditions.
The pH, as defined in the present context, is measured in the neat
compositions at 20 C.
While these compositions are operable at pH of less than about 6.0, for
optimum hydrolytic
stability of these compositions, the neat pH, measured in the above-mentioned
conditions, must
preferably be in the range of from about 2.0 to about 5, preferably in the
range of 2.5 to 4.5,
preferably about 2.5 to about 3.5. The pH of these compositions herein can be
regulated by the
addition of a Bronsted acid.
Soil Release Agent- In the present invention, an optional soil release agent
can be
added. The softening composition prepared by the process of the present
invention herein can
contain from 0% to about 10%, preferably from 0.2% to about 5%, of a soil
release agent.
Preferably, such a soil release agent is a polymer. Polymeric soil release
agents useful in the
present invention include copolymeric blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene
oxide or
polypropylene oxide, and the like. A more complete disclosure of soil release
agents is contained
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,267, Decker et al., issued Apr. 28, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.
4,711,730,
Gosselink et al., issued Dec. 8, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,596, Evans et al.,
issued Jun. 7, 1988;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,569, Trinh et al., issued Apr. 4, 1989; U.S. Pat. No.
4,877,896, Maldonado et
al., issued Oct. 31, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447, Gosselink et al., issued
Sep. 11, 1990; and
4,976,879, Maldonado et al., issued Dec. 11, 1990.
at -Water is employed in the instant compositions as a liquid carrier due to
its low
cost relative availability, safety, and environmental compatibility. The level
of water in the
present compositions is at least about 40%, preferably at least about 50%, by
weight of the
composition.
Stabi ' s-Antioxidants can be present in the compositions of this invention as
a
stabilizer. Antioxidants are present at a level of from 0% to about 10 %,
preferably from about
0.01% to about 8 %, more preferably from about 0.035% to about 7 %. The most
prefered
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antioxidant is DTPA , available from Aldrich with a chemical name of
diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.
Chlorine Scaveng_ers- These scavengers are actives that react with chlorine,
or with
chlorine-generating materials, such as hypochlorite, to eliminate or reduce
the bleaching activity
of the chlorine materials. Typically, the soflener composition of the present
invention provides
enough chlorine scavenger to react with about 0.2 ppm to about 20 ppm,
preferably from about
0.3 ppm to about 10 ppm, and more preferably from about 0.5 ppm to about 8 ppm
of chlorine
present in an average rinse liquor. Suitable levels of chlorine scavengers in
the liquid softener
composition of the present invention range from about 0.01 % to about 10%,
preferably from
about 0.02% to about 5%, most preferably from about 0.03% to about 4%. If both
the cation and
the anion of the scavenger react with chlorine, which is desirable, the level
is adjusted to react
with an equivalent amount of available chlorine. Preferred examples of
chlorine scavengers
include ammonium salts, e.g., chloride, bromide, citrate and sulfate. Ammonium
chloride is
especially preferred.
Bacteriocides- Examples of bacteriocides used in the compositions of this
invention
include glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,3-diol sold by
Inolex
Chemicals, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under trade mark Bronopol',
and a mixture
of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one
sold by Rohm
and Haas Company under the trade mark Kathon' CG/ICP. Typical levels of
bacteriocides used
in the present compositions are from about I to about 1,000 ppm by weight of
the composition.
Other Preferred Ineredients- The rinse cycle conditioner of the present
invention also
preferably includes other components conventionally used in textile treatment
compositions such
as pH modifiers, chelants, antifoam agents and perfumes. Particularly
important for the present
invention are additives such as anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents,
fabric crisping agents
and other fabric color protection agents. Many of the ingredients descnbed
above in the section
on the liquid cleaning composition may also be selected by a sldlled
formulator for use in the
rinse cycle conditioner.
Other Optional Ingredients- The present invention may also include other
optional
components conventionally used in textile treatment compositions, for example,
colorants,
preservatives, opacifiers, fabric conditioning agents, surfactants,
stabilizers such as polyethylene
glycol, spotting agents, germicides, fungicides, anti-corrosion agents,
antifoam agents, and the
like. The present invention does not contain stabilizers such as guar gum.
Suitable liquid fabric softener compositions are further disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No.
5,460,736, Trinh et al., issued Oct. 24,1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,350, Baker
et al., issued Aug.
13,1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,849, Wahl et al., issued Oct. 8,1996 ,
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Commercial products such as DOWNY CARET"' and ULTRA
DOWNYTM brand fabric softener niay also be used.
The apparatus intended for use in this invention is the one disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No.
5,736,503, December 7,1993, to Baginski et al. This
apparatus is a dosing dispenser, which is designed to be added before the wash
cycle of a
washing machine (at the beginning of the laundry process) but does not
actually release the rinse
cycle conditioner until the rinse cycle. As designed the apparatus contains a
number of
improvements over previous dispensers, in particular it is designed to insure
that the amount of
additive poured into the apparatus will be the correct dosage for the
particular wash process. It
also contains an improved sealing structure as well as utilizing a specially-
designed recessed
valve to minimize the chances that the apparatus will open and spill its
contents during the wash
cycle. The valve in the apparatus is so configured that it is opened only by
the centrifugal force it
experiences during the spin cycle so that the additive inside can then be
utilized during the
subsequent rinse cycle.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus used in this invention may be
inserted into a
fabric glove. This glove prevents the apparatus it contains from abrading or
blemishing the
delicate garments that it may directly contact-particularly during the
agitation cycle of a washing
machine.
The glove is constructed so that it fits snugly around the apparatus and will
not come off
merely as the result of using it as directed herein under standard operating
conditions. The glove
may be made of any natural or synthetic fabric or blend. Nylon is a preferred
fabric.
ABSORBENT STAIN RECEIVER
The absorbent stain receiver which is used in the present invention includes
an absorbent material
which imbibes the liquid composition. In preferred modes of operation, the
stain receiver is
designed specifically to "wick" or "draw" the liquid compositions away from
the stained area.
The absorbent stain receiver is necessarily white or non-printed to avoid dye
transfer from
receiver to gannent. White or non-printed disposable paper towels, paper
towels such as
BOUNTlfT"' brand towels, clean rags, etc., can be used. A prefenred receiver
consists of a
nonwoven pad. In a prefeired embodiment, the overall nonwoven is an absorbent
structure
composed of about 72% wood pulp and about 28% bicomponent staple fiber
polyethylene-
polypropylene (PE/PP). It is about 60 mils thick. It optionally, but
preferably, has a barrier film
on its rear surface to prevent the cleaning liquid from passing onto the
surface on which the pre-
spotting operation is being conducted. The receiver's structure establishes a
capillary gradient
from its upper, fluid receiving layer to its lower layer. The gradient is
achieved by controlling
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the density of the overall material and by layering the components such that
there is lower
capillary suction in the upper layer and greater capillary suction force
within the lower layer.
Alternatively, the absorbent stain receiver used herein comprises Functional
Absorbent
Materials ("FAM's") which are in the form of water-absorbent foams having a
controlled
capillary size. The physical structure and resulting high capillarity of FAM-
type foams provide
very effective water absorption, while at the same time the chemical
composition of the FAM
typically renders it highly lipophilic. Thus, the FAM can essentially provide
both hydrophilicity
and lipophilicity simultaneously. (FAM foams can be treated to render them
hydrophilic. Both
the hydrophobic or hydrophilic FAM can be used herein.) 10 The manufacture of
FAM-type foams for use as the stain receiver herein fonms no part of
the present invention. The manufacture of FAM foam is very extensively
described in the patent
literature; see, for example: U.S. 5,260,345 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson,
Young, LaVon and
Dyer, issued November 9,1993; U.S. 5,268,224 to DesMarais, Stone, Thompson,
Young, LaVon
and Dyer, issued December 7, 1993; U.S. 5,147,345 to Young, LaVon and Taylor,
issued
September 15,1992 and companion patent U.S. 5,318,554 issued June 7,1994; U.S.
5,149,720 to
DesMarais, Dick and Shiveley, issued September 22, 1992 and companion patents
U.S.
5,198,472, issued March 30,1993 and U.S. 5,250,576 issued October 5,1993; U.S.
5,352,711 to
DesMarais, issued October 4, 1994; PCT application 93/04115 published March 4,
1993, and
U.S. 5,292,777 to DesMarais and Stone, issued March 8, 1994; U.S. 5,387,207 to
Dyer,
DesMarais, LaVon, Stone, Taylor and Young, issued February 7, 1995; U.S.
5,500,451 to
Goldman and Scheibel, issued March 19,1996; and U.S. 5,550,167 to DesMarais,
issued August
27,1996.
PROCESS EMBODIMENTS
The use of the devices, compositions and processes of this invention are
described in
more detail hereinafter. Such disclosure is by way of illustration and not
limitation of the
invention herein.
Although not necessary or essential to the present invention, it is preferable
to use a
pretreatment procedure to improve the effectiveness of removing stains from a
stained area of the
garment. This pretreatment procedure comprises applying a pretreatment
composition to the
stained area and contacting the stained area with the wash pretreatment
applicator by applying a
gentle brushing motion to distribute the pretreatment composition around the
stained area of the
gannent. The pretreatment composition may or may not then be rinsed off the
stained area with
water. The liquid cleaning composition may function also as a pretreatment
composition or a
separately provided pretreatment composition may be used.
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In more detail, the pretreatment process herein can be conducted in the
following
manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced without departing from
the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
1. Place the stained area of the garment over and in contact with an absorbent
stain receiver
such as a FAM absorbency pad or a paper towel (preferably a nonwoven pad that
is white
or non-printed-to avoid dye transfer from towel to garment) or any other stain
receiver as
described herein on any suitable surface such as a table top etc. The wash
pretreatment
product is then poured directly onto the stained area.
2. Use the wash pretreatment applicator to spread, in a gentle brushing
motion, the
pretreatment composition onto the stained area to saturate the localized
stained area
without saturating the area surrounding it and then subsequently attempting to
work out the
stain as completely as possible.
3. Optionally, let the composition penetrate the stain for about I to 3
minutes.
4. Optionally, apply more of the pretreatment composition onto the stained
area.
5. Optionally, rinse the stained area that has been pre-treated with cold tap
water.
6. Follow this pretreatment process, perhaps repeating multiple times, with
the overall
cleaning process described below.
An overall process for treating an entire fabric surface area of a garment,
which includes
the pretreatment process described above, thus comprises the following steps
of:
(i) Optionally, conducting a pretreatment process, according to steps 1-6 of
the above
disclosure, on a stained area of a garment.
(ii) Placing the pretreated garment from step (i) inside the washing implement
in the
manner disclosed herein and securing the washing implement so that it will not
come open during laundering in the washing machine.
(iii) Placing the washing implement inside a washing machine together with:
(1) an
apparatus for dispensing a rinse water additive containing a rinse water
additive
such as fabric softener composition and (2) a measured amount of the liquid
cleaning composition.
(iv) Operating the washing machine on its most gentle agitation cycle and
using cold
water both in the wash and rinse cycles for a period of at least about 6
minutes,
typically from about 4 minutes to about 12 minutes.
(v) Removing the flexible wrap container containing the clean garments from
the
washing machine, removing the garment or garments from the flexible wrap
container and either allowing them to air dry or first placing them in a
clothes
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dryer set on air-fluff (no heat) for silk garments or the lowest possible
dryer heat
setting for garments made from rayon and rayon blends. Heavy weight garments
should remain in the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while light weight garments
should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. The garments should then be removed and
allowed to air dry. Wool garment should not be placed in a clothes dryer.
With respect to step (ii), it is appreciated that for fabrics which tend to
wrinkle, it is
preferred not to overload the washing implement used herein.
In step (iii), the washing machine may have an agitator arranged on either a
substantially
horizontal or substantially vertical axis. Typically, such an amount of liquid
cleaning
composition will be added so that the concentration of active ingredients in
the wash liquor is
from about 300 ppm to 2500 ppm, more preferably from about 400 ppm to about
2000 ppm, most
preferably from about 500 ppm to about 1600 ppm. Step (iv) can be conducted
for longer or
shorter periods, depending on such factors as the degree and type of soiling
of the fabrics, the
nature of the soils, the nature of the fabrics, the fabric load and the like
according to the needs of
the user.
EXAMPLE I
Examples of a (1) preferred liquid laundry composition which may be used both
in the
pretreatment process and added as a detergent into the washing machine and (2)
a rinse cycle
conditioner to be added during the rinse cycle. The compositions are used in a
manner described
after the detailed formulations.
Liquid Cleaning Composition
And Wash Pretreatment Composition
INGREDIENT wt %
Nonionic Surfactant 0.50
N-Cocoyl N-Methyl Glucamine 1.60
Anionic Surfactant 16.00
Amine Cosurfactant 0.40
Citric Acid 2.50
Fatty Acids (12-16) 2.00
Ethanol 2.59
Monoethanol amine 0=75
Sodium Formate 0.062
Propanediol 5.08
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Tolulene Sulfonate 0.36
Borax Premix 2.50
Sodium Hydroxide 2.62
Fabric Care Agents 2.70
Enzymes 0.15
Balance (water, antifoaming agent, perfume, color stabilizers) 61.67
Rinse Cycle Conditioner
2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3 -pentanediol 5.30
Softener Active** 35.00
Neodol Surfactant 91-8 4.90
MgCI, 1.75
Pluronic Surfactant L35 1.00
diethylenetriaminepenta- 0.01
(methylenephosphonic acid
Perfumes and Dyes 0.60
Water Balance
(** softener active is N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)
ammonium methyl sulfate)
Ste . One or more garments to be cleaned and refreshed are selected. Stains on
a
garment from sources such as ink, lipstick, salad dressing, collar soil and
other similar sources
are then identified and selected for pretreatment. For pretreatment, localized
stained areas of the
garment are situated over a paper towel and are treated by directly applying
about 0.1 to 5 mls
(depending on the size of the stain) of the liquid product of Example I, which
is gently worked
into the ganment using the wash pretreatment applicator. Optionally, excess
liquid product may
be rinsed off the stain with running cold tap water.
Stev 2. The flexible wrap container is laid flat on an even surface such as a
table or
clothes dryer. A first garment such as a jacket is placed on the wrap. The
sleeves and other
extensions of the garment should be folded-in if necessary and none of the
garment may lie
outside the perimeter of the wrap. After the first garment has been laid on
the wrap, the wrap's
flaps are folded over the garment so that the entire garment is enclosed by
the wrap. An
additional garment may then be placed over the folded flaps following the same
procedure
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described above and being careful that none of the garment lies outside the
perimeter of the
flexible wrap container.
Stev 3. The wrap is then rolled up as if one were rolling up a sleeping bag.
The wrap is
rolled in a direction parallel to the longest edge of the wrap, starting from
the edge with close
proximity to the connecting means. After the bag has been rolled up, it is
secured by means of
one or more straps and fasteners so that the strap(s) holding the bag are
pulled taut.
Sten 4. The garment-containing wrap is then placed in a washing machine.
Preferably
two garment-containing wraps of approximately equal weight are placed in the
washing machine
simultaneously to insure a balanced load. The washing machine settings should
be set on:
medium water level (approximately 17 gallons), cold water and the most gentle
agitation setting.
Two capfuls of the liquid product of Example I (about 66 ml) are poured into
the washing
machine; 66 ml of the liquid product of Example I in 17 gallons of water means
that the total
concentration of liquid cleaning composition in the detergent/water solution
will be about 1090
ppm. One capful of the rinse cycle conditioner (about 30 ml) may be added
either through the
washing machine's automatic rinse dispenser or through the use of an apparatus
for dispensing a
rinse cycle conditioner. If the conditioner is to be added using the
apparatus, the apparatus
should be placed in the washing machine at or near the start of the wash
cycle. The washing
machine is then started.
Sten 5. When the washing machine has completed all of its cycles, the garment-
containing wraps are removed from the washing machine and the garments inside
the wraps are
removed from the wrap. With the exception of men's ties and wool ganments, one
may dry the
garments by placing them in a dryer and setting the dryer on air-fluff (no
heat) for silk garments
or the lowest possible dryer heat setting for ganments made from rayon and
rayon blends. Heavy
weight garments should remain in the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while light
weight ganments
should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. One then removes the damp garment from the
dryer and may
then hang the garment or lay it flat to finish drying. For men's ties and
wools the dryer step is
inappropriate and air drying should begin immediately after they are removed
from the washing
machine.
Step 6. Press or steam the garments if necessary.
