Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LINT REMOVAL IN CLOTHES DRYERS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims
the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application
Number 61/609,008 filed on March 9, 2012, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[002] The present disclosure relates to the field of clothes
dryers. It more
particularly relates to an improved method
and device for lint removal from clothes dryers. Still
more
particularly, the present disclosure relates to the use of
substrates in the lint screen of clothes dryers for enhancing
the trapping of lint generated during the drying process.
BACKGROUND
[003] In 1998, 56.2% of all U.S. households had an
electric clothes dryer, and 17.9% had a gas dryer. There
were approximately 74 million clothes dryers in use in the
U.S. in 1998. Electric
clothes dryers include a fan, a
heater, a tumbler (for holding and drying clothes), a lint
screen, and an exhaust air duct as the basic components. A
dryer operates by pulling air into it through vents and any
gaps in the dryer housing. A fan is
used to assist with the
pulling of air into the dryer, which increases the air
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
velocity to 600 to 1000 standard feet per minute (SFPM)
referenced to 25 C and 29.92 inches Hg. The air is then drawn
over either an electrical heater or a gas heater operating at
a temperature of 300 to 400 C, which increases the air
temperature. The warm air then enters the tumbler to contact
the wet clothes. The air
then exits the tumbler and is
directed through a lint screen, which functions to capture
lint in the air screen to help prevent it from building up in
the exhaust duct work of the dryer. Lint is
defined as
predominately as fabric fibers that are expelled from a
clothes load of wet clothes during the drying process. Lint
may include synthetic and natural fibers types, as well as
dust. The lint
material refers to the material collected
from the lint screen or the material accumulated inside the
cabinet (housing) of the dryer. The lint
screen typically
has a steel screen with a 20 mesh (20 holes per linear inch
of screen) screen opening in it. The air then passes through
the circulation fan, which forces the air through an exit
duct in the rear of the dryer. A dryer hose then takes the
air from the air duct of the dryer and discharges it outside
the building structure housing the dryer .
Alternatively,
the warm air may be vented through a water reservoir to cool
it down, such that it can be vented inside the building
structure housing the dryer.
[004] A May
2003 report of the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission entitled "Electric Clothes Dryers and Lint
Ignition Characteristics" estimated that there were
approximately 15,600 clothes dryer fires resulting in 20
deaths, 370 injuries and $75.4 million in property damage in
1998. Lint
begins to accumulate inside a dryer chassis
upon first use, including the dryer's components, such as the
2
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
heater and the dryer floor. This lint
accumulation occurs
even when the dryer's lint screen is cleaned after each
usage, and the dryer is properly exhausted. Under
normal
operation, the airflow inside the exhaust vent of the dryer
decreases dramatically as the lint screen becomes blocked
with lint particles. The
temperatures measured inside the
heater box, heater intake and tumbler intake increase when
the exhaust vent is partially blocked (75%) or fully (100%)
blocked, and the temperatures inside the tumbler, blower and
exhaust vent correspondingly decrease. The
results of the
study shows that lint, which accumulates inside the dryer,
can ignite if the lint contacts certain areas of the heater
housing, if the lint is in proximity to the heater, or if the
lint is ingested by the heater box. The study
also shows
that lint can ignite if there is a blocked exhaust vent.
Dryer heaters have a high-limit thermostat, however lint may
ignite before the high-limit thermostat switches the heater
element off or the high-limit thermostat may fail. The
ignition temperature of lint is measured by its flash point,
which is approximately 700 C.
[005] During
the clothes drying process, static cling,
defined as the tendency of objects (clothes) to stick (cling)
to other objects owing to static electricity, is highly
prevalent. Static
electricity occurs during the clothes
drying process from clothes rubbing against each other (the
triboelectric effect). Static
cling is especially prevalent
when humidity is low, which allows for static electricity to
build up. Fabric softeners added during the washing process,
and dryer sheets added during the drying process, may be used
to reduce static cling in clothes during the washing and
drying process.
3
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[006] Laundry detergents are generally sulfate based and
are anionic in nature. Hence, they impart a residual anionic
(negative) charge to clothing during the washing process.
Fabric softeners are generally amine based and are cationic
(positive) in nature. The positive cationic charge of fabric
softeners help to neutralize the residual negative anionic
charge imparted to clothing during the washing process.
However, static electricity builds up during the drying
process from clothes contacting each other and clothes
pulling apart from each other during the tumbling process.
Dryer sheets are also generally cationic in nature and help
to neutralize the residual negative anionic charge in clothes
from the washing process and the static cling (excess of
negative charge) imparted to clothes during the drying
process. Dryer generated lint tends to be positively charged
or cationic in nature due to the use of fabric softeners
and/or dryer sheets used during the washing and drying
process, which creates an excess of positive charges relative
to negative charges.
[007] As discussed above, lint screens are used to
capture lint during the drying process to try to prevent
build up on the internal air flow surfaces of the dryer and
the exhaust duct. However, lint screens are not effective in
capturing all of the lint generated during the drying
process. Lint material released from the drying process will
have inherent charges due to the rubbing of surfaces and
their triboelectric characteristics. In addition, lint
screens will trap equally charged lint particles that will
electrically repel and will scatter and accumulate over any
surface. The lint trap should be cleaned prior to or after
each drying cycle by removing the layer of lint on the
4
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
screen. A
partially blocked or fully blocked lint screen
increases the accumulation of lint on upstream dryer
components, and in particular on the dryer heating elements.
Often time, users of dryers forget to or consciously ignore
cleaning the lint screen after each dryer cycle. Moreover,
lint screens may be difficult to clean because the lint
becomes so embedded in the screen hole openings that it
becomes difficult to remove. The difficulty of removal may
be the result of not only physically being imbedded in the
screen hole openings of the lint screen, but also from the
positively charged nature of the lint causing it to adhere to
the lint screen.
[008] Hence, a problem with the prior art drying process
is that lint build up during the drying process increases the
risk of dryer fires. Another
problem with the prior art
drying process is that lint screens are difficult to clean
due to the buildup of static charge on the lint screen. A
third problem with the prior art drying process is static
charge build-up on the lint screen of the clothes dryer due
to an excess of positive charge relative to negative charge.
[009] Thus, there is a need for an improved method of
capturing lint during the clothes drying process. There is
also a need for an improved method of removing static charge
from the lint screen (grounding the lint screen) and cleaning
the lint screen of the clothes dryer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[010] To assist those of ordinary skill in the relevant art
in making and using the subject matter hereof, reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[011] Fig. 1 depicts a black and white photograph of the
lint capturing sheet disclosed herein attached using a clip
to the lint screen of a clothes dryer (inventive).
[012] Fig. 2 depicts a black and white photograph of a
dryer lint screen with no lint capturing sheet used
(comparative) showing the density gradient of the lint
trapped from uneven blowing of lint on the trap.
[013] Fig. 3 depicts a black and white photograph of a
dryer lint screen with no lint capturing sheet used during
the drying process (comparative) and prior to using a dry
polyolefin based lint capturing sheet to clean the lint off
the screen.
[014] Fig. 4 depicts a black and white photograph of a
dryer lint screen with no lint capturing sheet used during
the drying process (comparative of Fig. 3) and after using a
dry polyolefin based lint capturing sheet to clean the lint
off the screen to illustrate the grounding effect on ease of
lint removal from the screen.
[015] Fig. 5 depicts a black and white photograph of a
non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet including no aqueous
solution (dry) after use during the drying process and
removal from the lint screen (comparative).
[016] Fig. 6 depicts a black and white photograph of the
lint capturing sheet including an aqueous solution (1 gram of
non-woven polyester to 3 grams of water) used during the
drying process and after removal from the lint screen
(inventive) to illustrate the approximate two fold increase
in lint density with respect to Fig. 5.
6
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[017] Fig. 7 depicts a black and white photograph of a
non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet including no aqueous
solution (dry) after use during the drying process and after
removal from the lint screen (comparative) to illustrate that
the maximum lint capture density corresponds to the stronger
blowing towards the bottom part of the sheet while the upper
part of the sheet traps far less lint (minimum lint capture
density).
[018] Fig. 8 depicts a black and white photograph of the
non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet including an aqueous
solution (1 gram of non-woven polyester to 3 grams of water)
after use during the drying process and after removal from
the lint screen (inventive) to illustrate that the sheet
collects substantially more lint at all blower intensities,
and hence results in a more uniform lint capture density over
the length of the sheet in comparison to Fig. 7.
[019] Fig. 9 depicts a black and white photograph of a
non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet draped over the
steel trap, wherein the sheet was moistened with non-
deionized water prior to applying it to the steel trap in
order to help ground the trap.
[020] Fig. 10 depicts a black and white photograph of the
non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet of Fig. 9 after
capturing lint from the dryer.
[021] Fig. 11 depicts a black and white photograph of a
wand with a non-woven polyester lint capturing sheet
moistened with non-deionized water prior to insertion in the
dryer opening covered by the steel trap.
7
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (P=t)
EFS-Web
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[022] All numerical values within the detailed description
and the claims herein are modified by "about" or
"approximately" the indicated value, and take into account
experimental error and variations that would be expected by a
person having ordinary skill in the art.
[023] The present disclosure provides novel methods of
capturing lint from the lint screen during a clothes drying
process, compositions of lint capturing sheets and methods of
making lint capturing sheets. The
improved methods of
capturing lint from the lint screen during a clothes drying
process of the present disclosure offers significant
advantages relative to prior art methods, including, but not
limited to, improved ease of cleaning the lint screen of a
clothes dryer, less static build up on the lint screen,
reduced lint accumulation on the air flow passages both
upstream and downstream of the lint screen, reduced
propensity for dryer fires due to lint accumulation, improved
ability to add both fragrance and disinfecting properties to
clothes during the drying process, and less static build up
on clothes during the drying process. The
advantageous
properties and/or characteristics of the disclosed methods of
capturing lint from the lint screen during a clothes drying
process are based, at least in part, on the use of a novel
lint capturing sheet in the lint screen of the clothes dryer
during a drying cycle. The lint
capturing sheet disclosed
herein may also be used in conjunction with a wand or other
extensional device to function as a cleaning or wiping
device/brush to remove lint from other difficult non-readily
accessible air flow areas and surfaces internal to the
8
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
clothes dryer. Two of
such areas include the opening of the
lint trap and the housing between the lint trap and the
exhaust vent of the clothes dryer.
[024] The triboelectric charging is the type of contact
electrification in which certain materials become
electrically charged after they come into contact with
another different material and are then separated (such as
through rubbing). The polarity and strength of the charges
produced differ according to the materials, surface
roughness, temperature, strain and other properties.
[025] In the Triboelectric Series lists materials in order
of the polarity of charge separation when they are touched
with another object. The triboelectric series from most
positively charged is as follows: + Air, Human skin, Leather,
Rabbit's fur,Glass, Quartz, Mica, Human hair, Nylon, Wool,
Lead, Cat's fur, Silk, Aluminum, Paper (Small positive
charge), Cotton (no charge), 0 Steel(No charge), Wood (Small
negative charge), Lucite, Amber, Sealing wax, Acrylic,
Acetate, Rayon, Synthetic rubber, Polyester, Styrene
(Styrofoam), Orion, Plastic wrap, Polyurethane, Polyethylene,
Polypropylene, Polyvinylchloride (PVC), Silicon, Teflon,
Silicone rubber, Ebonite, - Most negatively charged.
[026] Materials are often listed in order of the polarity
of charge separation when they are touched with another
object. The further apart the materials in the Triboelectric
series, the greater the charge transferred. Laundry
detergents are generally sulfate based and are anionic in
nature. Hence,
they impart a residual anionic (negative)
charge to clothing during the washing process. Fabric
softeners are generally amine based and are cationic in
9
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
nature. The
positive cationic charge of fabric softeners
help to neutralize the residual anionic charge imparted to
clothing during the washing process. However,
static
electricity builds up during the drying process from clothes
contacting each other and clothes pulling apart from each
other during the tumbling process.
[027] The
laundering process typically uses a detergent
and an optional cationic fabric softener. The detergent alone
will generate anionic charged lint in the dryer, while the
use of a detergent and a fabric softener will typically
generate cationic charged lint in the dryer. The most common
laundering methods include using a cationic softener in the
rinse or adding cationic dryer sheets to the dryer. In these
most common methods of washing and drying clothing, the lint
formed in the dryer will be positively charged. The equally
charged particles will repel each other and some will be
trapped in the lint screen while others will scatter over the
dryer housing, vents and exhaust duct work. The lint trapped
in the lint screen is generally difficult to remove, and a
significant percentage of lint passes through the lint screen
and will deposit on the inside surface and flooring of the
dryer. It has
been unexpectedly discovered that the
triboelectric series may be used as an indication of which
non-woven substrates to be used on the lint screen will be
advantageous for further facilitating the capturing of lint
during the drying process on the lint screen. It has been
discovered that that non-
woven polyolefin and polyesters
sheets are particularly advantageous. Non-woven
polyester
sheets are particularly advantageous because of being more
absorbent than the hydrophobic polyolefin sheets, and
therefore they increase the efficacy of aqueous solutions on
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
the non-woven fabric for acting as a grounding material when
used on the lint screen of the dryer. The grounding of the
lint screen through the use of a non-woven substrate that is
negative on the Tribolectric series, wherein the substrate is
saturated in an aqueous solution including water soluble
ingredients improves dramatically the capture of lint on the
lint screen during the drying process. The water
soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, which decreases its impedance and thus helps to ground
the charge of the lint screen and the lint and dust which
accumulates on it. Hence, it
is advantageous that the lint
capturing sheet provided herein be negatively charged through
the proper selection of the non-woven fabric substrate and
the aqueous solution with water soluble ingredients which
saturate the non-woven in order to more effectively capture
the positively charged dryer lint and dust.
Embodiments relating to lint capturing sheet
[028] In one
exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, a lint capturing sheet for assisting with
capturing lint at the lint screen of a clothes dryer includes
a non-woven fabric saturated in an aqueous solution of from
90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30. The lint
capturing sheet is placed onto the
dryer screen prior to starting a drying cycle. The lint
11
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
capturing sheet may range in size from 3 to 12 inches in
width and in length from 5 to 15 inches depending on the size
and style of the dryer stainless steel dryer screen or trap.
In one form, the lint capturing sheet may be unrolled from a
non-woven fabric roll saturated in an aqueous solution
wherein the roll may have perforation every 8 inches in
length and may have a width of about 6 to 9 inches. The lint
capturing sheet may range in thickness from 1 mil to 40 mil,
or 1 mil to 15 mil, or 1.5 mil to 10 mil, or 2 to 8 mil.
[029] In one
form, a clip may be used for attaching the
lint capturing sheet to the stainless steel lint screen/trap
of the clothes dryer. The use of a clip is advantageous in
dryers that have a top entry lint trap and the air blows from
the bottom to the top of the dryer. The
inverted
configuration makes the clip necessary to avoid the lint
capturing sheet from falling inside the housing of the dryer.
For dryers with a top to bottom configuration, the air flow
secures the lint capturing sheet to the lint trap, and thus
typically no clip is required. Other methods for securing the
lint capturing sheet to the lint trap may be contemplated,
including, but not limited to, the use of adhesive strips to
secure the sheet to the trap and the use of a magnetized
substrate for the lint capturing sheet. With the use of an
adhesive, adhesive build up may occur due to the high air
temperature environment, which may cause the adhesive to
fail. The use of magnetic lint capturing sheets may be used
to secure the lint capturing sheet to the steel lint trap by
inserting one or more magnetic materials into the substrate
of the lint capturing sheet. In addition, a combination of
an adhesive and a magnetized lint capturing sheet may be
utilized for securing the lint capturing sheet to the steel
12
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US )
EFs-web
lint trap. Alternatively, a magnetic adhesive may be used to
secure the lint capturing sheet to the steel lint trap.
[030] The lint capturing sheet disclosed herein may
include an aqueous solution having from 90 to 100 vol.% water
and from 0.0 to 10 vol.% of water soluble ingredients, or
from 90 to 99.9999 vol.% water and from 0.0001 to 10 vol.% of
water soluble ingredients, or from 95 to 99.99 vol.% water
and from 0.01 to 5 vol.% of water soluble ingredients, or
from 97 to 99.99 vol.% water and from 0.01 to 3 vol.% of
water soluble ingredients, or 99 to 99.9 vol.% water and from
0.1 to 1 vol.% of water soluble ingredients. The water used
in the aqueous solution may non-deionized water, such as tap
water, or deionized water. However non-deionized water is
advantageous because it is more conductive in nature. In one
form, the lint capturing sheet may not include water soluble
ingredients, but may be saturated with water.
[031] The aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet is
used to assist with lint capture and also to provide anti-
static properties to the lint screen, which facilitates the
removal of lint from the screen. The lint capturing sheet
disclosed herein may have a weight ratio of non-woven fabric
to the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranging
from1:1 to 1:20 or 1:1 to 1:10, or 1:1 to 1:6, or 1:1 to 1:3.
In one advantageous form, the weight ratio of non-woven
fabric to the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet
ranges from 1:3 to 1:6 so as to have little or no dripping of
the aqueous solution from the dryer sheet.
[032] Non-limiting exemplary water soluble ingredients
that may be included in the aqueous solution include many
types of ionic water soluble compounds, non-ionic water
13
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
soluble compounds and combinations thereof. Non-
limiting
exemplary non-ionic water soluble compounds are acids, bases,
alcohols, glycols, polyglycols, vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl
alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, aldehydes, ketones,
carbowaxes, ethoxylated surfactants, propoxylated surfactants
and combinations thereof. Non-limiting exemplary ionic water
soluble compounds are salts of alkali halides, sulphates and
phosphates; alkali metal salts of water soluble organic
acids; and combinations thereof. In
addition, any other
material that when dried from an aqueous solution that helps
ground the charge of the lint trap in the steel screen mesh
and assists the transfer of the lint to the substrate of the
proper triboelectric charge may be used.
[033] The
aqueous solution including the water soluble
ingredients provides grounding to the lint capturing screen
during the drying process. The water containing lint
capturing sheet will neutralize any charges on the lint
screen during the drying process. The water containing lint
capturing sheet also provides adhesion to the lint screen
without substantially blocking air flow through the lint
screen. That is,
the air velocity through the lint screen
with the lint capturing sheet present on it will not decrease
more than 5%, or not more than 10%, or not more than 15%, or
not more than 20%, or not more than 25% less than the lint
screen without the lint capturing sheet present on it. For
example, Fig. 13 of the May 2003 report of the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission entitled "Electric Clothes Dryers
and Lint Ignition Characteristics" depicts the velocity
through the lint screen as a function of time for 0% to 100%
blocked intakes, and is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
14
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
[034] The lint capturing sheet includes a non-woven
fabric. A non-
woven fabric is defined as a sheet or web
structure bonded together by entangling fibers or filaments
(and by perforating films) mechanically, thermally or
chemically. They are
flat, porous sheets that are made
directly from separate fibers or from molten plastic or
plastic film. The non-
woven fabric may be produced from a
synthetic or a natural fiber by known processes for producing
non-woven fabrics. For
example, with the use of synthetic
fibers, a melt blowing or spun bonding process may be used.
The non-woven fabric may be made from synthetic fibers, such
as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide,
polyvinylchloride, and polyvinyl acetate. However, due to the
prevalence of positive charged lint in the most common
laundering processes, the non-woven fabrics most preferred
will be those on the negative end of the triboelectric
series. One
particularly preferable non-woven fabric is a
polyester non-woven. The non-woven fabric must also have a
sufficiently high melt point so as to not melt during the
drying process. It is preferable that the flash point of the
non-woven fabric is greater than 700 C.
[035] The lint capturing sheet may also include as part
of the aqueous solution an antioxidant agent, also known as a
corrosion inhibitor or an anti-corrosive agent, which
functions to prevent rusting of the steel trap during a
drying cycle. Non-
limiting exemplary corrosion inhibitors
include alkali benzoates, amines, phosphates, tin salts,
hydrazines, and combinations thereof. The anti-
corrosive
agent may be included in the aqueous solution at from 0.01 to
1 vol.%, or 0.02 to 0.8 vol.%, or 0.04 to 0.6 vol.%, or 0.06
to 0.8 vol.%.
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US d't)
EFS-Web
[036] The lint capturing sheet may also include as part
of the aqueous solution a disinfecting agent, also known as a
disinfectant, which functions to kill bacteria during a
drying cycle.
Disinfecting agents kill or inhibit the
growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or
protozoans. The
disinfecting agent, or disinfectant
volatilizes at elevated temperatures during a drying cycle
and may be included in the aqueous solution at from 0.01 to 1
vol.%, or 0.02 to 0.8 vol.%, or 0.04 to 0.6 vol.%, or 0.06 to
0.8 vol.%. Non-limiting exemplary disinfecting
disinfectant agents include propylene glycol, triethylene
glycol, hydrogen peroxide, triclosan, benzalkonium chloride,
ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde,
sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chloramine,
electrolyzed water, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid,
performic acid, phenolics, quaternary ammonium compounds,
2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and combinations thereof. Non-
limiting exemplary phenolics include o-phenylphenol,
chloroxylenol, hexachlorophene, thymol, and amylmetacresol.
[037] The lint capturing sheet may also include as part
of the aqueous solution a fragrancing agent, also known as an
aroma compound, which is a chemical compound that has a smell
or odor, and functions to give a pleasant odor to clothes
during the drying cycle. The fragrancing agent volatilizes at
elevated temperatures during a drying cycle and may be
included in the aqueous solution at from 0.01 to 1 vol.%, or
0.02 to 0.8 vol.%, or 0.04 to 0.6 vol.%, or 0.06 to 0.8
vol.%. Non-
limiting exemplary fragrancing agents / aroma
compounds include esters, linear terpenes, cyclic terpenes,
aromatics, alcohols, ketones, fragrant aldehydes and
combinations thereof.
16
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PW2)
EFS-Web
[038] As discussed above, the lint capturing sheet may
include disinfecting and/or fragrancing agents as part of the
aqueous solution. Both the
disinfecting agent and the
fragrancing agent volatilize at the elevated air temperatures
during the drying cycle and provide disinfectant and/or aroma
properties to the clothes being dried.
[039] During
the drying process, the lint capturing sheet
also provides anti-static properties to the lint screen,
which facilitates the removal of lint. The anti-
static
properties are provided through the use of the aqueous
solution including the water and water soluble ingredients
through prevention of formation and grounding of charges on
the lint screen through the lint capturing sheet.
Embodiments relating to methods of capturing lint during the
drying process
[040] In an alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method of capturing lint from the lint screen
during a clothes drying process includes the steps of:
providing a lint capturing sheet comprising a non-woven
fabric saturated in an aqueous solution of from 90 to 99.999
vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water soluble
ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative on the
Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble ingredients
increase the electrical conductivity of the water, and
wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to the aqueous
solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30,
placing the lint capturing sheet on a dryer lint screen prior
to a clothes drying cycle, and removing the lint capturing
17
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US ( PPR)
EFS-Web
sheet from the dryer lint screen after the clothes drying
cycle to remove lint from the clothes drying process..
[041] The lint
capturing sheet described above may be
removed from the container in which it is stored in and then
placed on the dryer screen of the clothes dryer. The lint
capturing sheet may be placed flat on the dryer screen or
alternatively it may not be placed flat on the screen. In
one preferable form, the lint capturing screen would cover
the entire surface area of the screen and would be placed on
the upstream side of the lint screen relative to the hot air
flow passing through the screen. In
another form, the lint
capturing screen would not cover the entire surface area of
the screen, but would cover a majority of the screen. In
either case sufficient adhesion to the lint screen is
provided by the water soluble components. Alternatively, the
lint capturing sheet may be secured to the dryer screen using
a clip or other suitable means for securing the sheet to the
screen.
[042] As
discussed above, the lint capturing sheet may
include anti-corrosion, disinfecting and /or fragrancing
agents as part of the aqueous solution. Both the
disinfecting agent and the fragrancing agent volatilize at
the elevated air temperatures during the drying cycle and
provide disinfectant and/or aroma properties to the clothes
being dried.
[043] During the drying process, the lint capturing sheet
also provides some anti-static properties to the lint screen,
which facilitates the removal of lint. The anti-
static
properties are provided through the use of the aqueous
solution including the water soluble ingredients through
18
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFs-web
grounding of charges on the lint screen through the lint
capturing sheet. The water present on the sheet tends to
ground any charges (generated from detergent and clothes
during the washing process) and on the laundry during the
drying process. Hence, the moist triboelectric substrate
will help to neutralize any static build-up in the lint
screen or trap.
[044] After the drying cycle is complete or prior to
starting a new drying cycle, the user of the dryer may remove
the lint capturing screen from the lint screen or trap along
with the lint that it has captured. The lint capturing sheet
may also be used to wipe the lint screen or trap to remove
any residual lint that may be embedded in the openings.
Embodiments relating to methods of making a lint capturing
sheet
[045] In another alternative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method of making a lint capturing sheet
includes the following steps: providing a non-woven fabric in
roll form with perforations along the length of the roll to
provide for ease of tearability of sheets from the roll,
inserting the roll into a container such that the roll stands
on one of its ends,
placing into the container an aqueous solution of from 90 to
99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
19
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30, and placing an openable cover onto the top of
the container for sealing the container and for removal of a
lint capturing sheet from the roll saturated in the aqueous
solution. The non-woven fabric is preferably provided in roll
form with perforations along the length of the roll. These
perforations provide a means for the user to easily tear
sheets from the roll in the transverse direction.
[046] As described above, the non-woven fabric may be
produced from a synthetic or a natural fiber by known
processes for producing such fabrics. For example, with the
use of synthetic fibers, a melt blowing or spun bonding
process may be used. The non-
woven fabric may be made from
synthetic fibers, such as for example, polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyester, and polyamide or alternatively from
natural fibers, of preferably negative triboelectric
properties. The non-
woven fabric provides a support means
for capturing the lint in the air stream from the drying
process, while still providing a structure that allows for
air to pass through it. Hence, it
functions as a lint
removal filtering device.
[047] The non-woven fabric in roll form is placed into a
container such that the roll stands on one of its ends at the
bottom of the container. The
container is preferably
cylindrical in shape and is preferably fabricated from a
plastic or glass. Non-limiting exemplary plastics that may
be used to form the container include polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester. The
outside diameter of the cylindrical plastic container is
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS -Web
larger than the outside diameter of the non-woven fabric
roll.
[048] After the non-woven fabric roll is placed into the
container with an open top, the aqueous solution of from 90
to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the water soluble ingredients
increase the electrical conductivity of the water, is
inserted into the bottom of the container by means generally
known in the art for adding liquids to a container. The
weight ratio of non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in
the lint capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30, which
allows for the aqueous solution to wick-up the non-woven
fabric roll and to correspondingly saturate it with the
aqueous solution. As
described above, the lint capturing
sheet disclosed herein may alternatively have a weight ratio
of non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in the lint
capturing sheet ranging from 1:1 to 1:20, or 1:1 to 1:10, or
1:1 to 1:6, or 1:1 to 1:3. Non-
limiting exemplary water
soluble ingredients that may be included in the aqueous
solution include many types including ionic and non-ionic
water soluble compounds, acids, bases, salts, alcohols,
glycols, polyglycols, polyvinyl alcohols, ethoxylated or
propoxylated surfactants and any material that when dried
from an aqueous solution will help the lint trapping sheet of
a substrate adhere to the screen steel mesh.
[049] The aqueous solution including the water soluble
non-ionic ingredients provides grounding to the lint
capturing screen during the drying process. The water
containing lint capturing sheet will neutralize any charges
on the lint screen during the drying process. Non-limiting
21
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PPdR)
EFS -Web
exemplary water soluble ingredients that may be included in
the aqueous solution include many types of ionic water
soluble compounds, non-ionic water soluble compounds and
combinations thereof. Non-limiting exemplary non-ionic water
soluble compounds are acids, bases, alcohols, glycols,
polyglycols, vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl
pyrrolidones, aldehydes, ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated
surfactants, propoxylated surfactants and combinations
thereof. Non-limiting exemplary ionic water soluble compounds
are salts of alkali halides, sulphates and phosphates; alkali
metal salts of water soluble organic acids; and combinations
thereof. In
addition, any other material that when dried
from an aqueous solution will help ground the charge of the
lint trap in the steel screen mesh and help the transfer of
the lint to the substrate of the proper triboelectric charge.
[050] The aqueous solution including the water soluble
ingredients provides grounding to the lint capturing screen
during the drying process. The water containing lint
capturing sheet will ground any charges on the lint screen
during the drying process.
[051] After the aqueous solution is placed into the
container including the non-woven fabric roll, an openable
cover is placed onto the top of the container for sealing the
container and for removal of a lint capturing sheet from the
roll saturated in the aqueous solution. The
openable cover
prevents the aqueous solution from volatilizing from the
container during storage and allows the user to open the top
and unwind a sheet from the roll and then tear it from the
roll such that the lint capturing sheet may be placed in the
lint trap of the clothes dryer. The
openable cover may be
22
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
formed from plastic or glass. Non-
limiting exemplary
plastics that may be used to form the openable cover include
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and
polyester. The
inside diameter of the openable cover is
generally slightly larger the outside diameter of the
cylindrical plastic container such that it forms a tight snap
fit to the container, such that it will not leak.
[052] In yet another alternative embodiment of the
present disclosure, a method of making a lint capturing sheet
includes the following steps: providing a non-woven fabric in
sheet form, inserting a stack of the non-woven fabric in
sheet form into a container such that the stack sits on the
bottom of the container, placing into the container an
aqueous solution of from 90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from
0.001 to 10 vol.% of water soluble ingredients, wherein the
non-woven fabric is negative on the Triboelectric series,
wherein the water soluble ingredients increase the electrical
conductivity of the water, and wherein the weight ratio of
non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in the lint
capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30, and placing a
openable cover onto the top of the container for sealing the
container and for removal of a lint capturing sheet from the
stack saturated in the aqueous solution. In this
form, the
lint capturing sheet is already pre-cut in a rectangular
shape to fit within the container.
[053] The following are examples of the present
disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting.
EXAMPLES
23
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US UdEO
EFS-Web
[054] Example 1
[055] 300g of a water solution of 0.01% sodium
benzoate/benzoic acid was poured into a polyolefin
cylindrical container. 20g of non-woven polyester batting
was rolled and inserted in the container. All the solution
was wicked by the absorbent non-woven fabric. The roll felt
moist to the touch, however, the aqueous solution didn't drip
from the individual sheets. Total weight of a dry polyester
sheet per 5x9 inch sheet was 1 gram. The material absorbed
and wicked 10-15g of water per sheet with no dripping. The
wet sheet was easily applied to the steel lint trap /screen
of a clothes dryer and easily adhered to it. The dryer was
turned on and the wet sheet was progressively dried until the
cycle was completed. The amount of lint recovered was 0.3g
per sheet per towel dried. The towels were laundered using a
commercial detergent and a cationic laundry conditioner.
Most of the lint resulting from the drying process was
imbedded in the dried polyester sheet and it was easily
removed with no lint left behind in the steel trap. Fig. 1
is a photograph of the lint capturing sheet attached using a
clip to the lint screen of a household clothes dryer.
[056] Comparative Example 2
[057] One dry 5x9 non-woven polyester sheet weighing 1
gram was placed on the dryer lint trap. A towel of equal
weight to the same used in Example 1 and previously laundered
under the same conditions as in Example 1 was dried. Only 0.1
g of lint per sheet per towel was recovered. The rest of the
lint was scattered over other surfaces of the clothes dryer,
24
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782--.LJS (PAR)
EFS-Web
including some imbedded in the lint trap /screen. The wet
sheets of Example 1 trapped three times more lint than the
dried ones of Comparative Example 2.
[058] Example 3
[059] 100g of water solution of 0.01% sodium
benzoate/benzoic acid was poured into a polyolefin
cylindrical container. 20g of non-woven polyester batting was
rolled and inserted into the container. The solution wet the
non-woven polyester roll. The roll felt moist to the touch,
however, the aqueous solution didn't drip from the individual
sheets. Total weight of a dry polyethylene sheet per 5x9 inch
sheet was 0.8 grams. The material retained 0.8 to 3.0 g of
water per sheet with no dripping. The wet sheet was easily
applied to the steel lint trap of the clothes dryer and
easily adhered to it. The dryer was turned on and the wet
sheet was progressively dried until the cycle was completed.
The amount of lint recovered was 1.4g per sheet per 10 lbs.
load of permanent press clothing dried. The load was
laundered using a commercial detergent and a cationic laundry
conditioner. Most of the lint resulting from the drying
process was imbedded in the dried polyethylene sheet and it
was easily removed with no lint left behind in the steel
trap.
[060] Comparative Example 4
[061] A dry non-woven polyethylene sheet measuring 5x9
inches and having a weight of 0.8 gram was used to cover the
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
steel lint trap /screen of a clothes dryer. The dry
sheet
was applied to the steel lint trap where it did not easily
adhere. The dryer was turned on and the dry sheet was blown
against the steel trap until the cycle was completed. The
amount of lint recovered was 0.6g per sheet per 10 lbs. load
of permanent press clothing dried. The load was laundered
using a commercial detergent and a cationic laundry
conditioner. Most of
the lint resulting from the drying
process was imbedded on the dried polyethylene sheet or in
the steel trap. The lint imbedded in the steel trap was
difficult to remove and had to be rinsed off for complete
removal. The lint on the dried nonwoven was simply disposed
with the non-woven sheet.
[062] Using two different substrates, polyester and
polyethylene, wet and dried measurements were made to
determine the amount of lint trapped on the sheets. In all
cases the wet substrates retained 1.4/0.8=1.75 or about 2
times the amount of lint compared to the same dried
substrate.
[063] Comparative Example 5
[064] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. The lint capturing sheet disclosed herein was
not used on the lint screen during the drying cycle. Fig. 2
depicts a photograph of the dryer lint screen after the
drying cycle and shows the density gradient of the lint
trapped from uneven blowing of lint on the trap. Fig. 3 is
another photograph of a dryer lint screen with no lint
capturing sheet used during the drying process and prior to
using a dry polyolefin based lint capturing sheet to clean
the lint off the screen. A dry
polyolefin based lint
26
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (1,Pd,t)
EFS-Web
capturing sheet was then used to clean the lint off the
screen and illustrates the grounding effect on ease of lint
removal from the screen. The ease of removing the lint from
the screen is shown in Fig. 4 with the lint being easily
removed from the lint capturing sheet due to the grounding of
the screen with contact by the sheet.
[065] Comparative Example 6
[066] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. A lint capturing sheet comprising a non-woven
polyester substrate with no aqueous solution (dry) was placed
on the lint screen prior to commencing the drying cycle.
Fig. 5 is a photograph of the non-woven polyester lint
capturing sheet after use and removal from the lint screen.
[067] Example 7
[068] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. A lint capturing sheet comprising a non-woven
polyester substrate with aqueous solution (1 gram of non-
woven polyester to 3 grams of water) was placed on the lint
screen prior to commencing the drying cycle. Fig. 6 is
a
photograph of the lint capturing sheet including an aqueous
solution after use and removal from the lint screen. The
lint capture in Fig. 6 is approximately two times greater in
terms of lint density than that of Fig. 5 and exhibits the
unexpected improvement in performance when the non-woven
substrate is saturated with an aqueous solution prior to
27
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
being used as a lint capturing sheet on the lint screen of a
clothes dryer.
[069] Comparative Example 8
[070] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. A lint capturing sheet comprising a non-woven
polyester substrate with no aqueous solution was placed on
the lint screen prior to commencing the drying cycle. Fig. 7
is a photograph of the non-woven polyester lint capturing
sheet after use and removal from the lint screen. Fig. 7
illustrates that the maximum lint capture density occurs with
the stronger blowing towards the bottom part of the sheet
while the top part of the sheet traps far less lint (minimum
lint capture density). Hence, there is a gradient in lint
capture density from the top of the sheet to the bottom of
the sheet due to differences in air flow rate between top and
bottom. The top
of the lint capturing sheet captures less
lint compared to the bottom of the sheet.
[071] Example 9
[072] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. A lint capturing sheet comprising a non-woven
polyester substrate with aqueous solution (1 gram of non-
woven polyester to 3 grams of water) was placed on the lint
screen prior to commencing the drying cycle. Fig. 8 is
a
photograph of the lint capturing sheet including an aqueous
solution after use and removal from the lint screen. The
lint capture in Fig. 8 is more uniform between top and bottom
28
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
of the sheet, which substantiates that the sheet collects
substantially more lint at all blower intensities, and hence
results in a more uniform lint capture density over the
length of the sheet as compared to Comparative Example 8 and
Fig. 7. Hence,
another expected benefit of saturating the
non-woven substrate with an aqueous solution prior to use is
that the lint capturing sheet yields more uniform lint
density capture over a range of air flows than a dry lint
capturing sheet.
[073] Example 10
[074] A household clothes dryer was used to dry a load of
wet laundry. Fig. 9 is a photograph of a non-woven polyester
lint capturing sheet draped over the steel lint trap of the
dryer. The sheet
was moistened with non-deionized water
prior to applying it to the steel trap in order to help
ground the trap. Fig. 10
is a photograph of the non-woven
polyester lint capturing sheet of Fig. 9 after capturing lint
from the dryer. The lint
capturing sheet disclosed herein
may also be used to clean lint from the internal surface of
air flow conduits of the dryer. In this
form, Fig. 11
depicts a photograph of a wand with a non-woven polyester
lint capturing sheet moistened with non-deionized water on
its end, which is shown prior to insertion into the dryer
opening covered by the steel trap. The wand
with the lint
capturing sheet at its end may be used to clean the internal
air flow surfaces of the dryer through the lint trap opening
while the dryer is not in use. Figures 9, 10 and 11
illustrate the benefits and ease of capturing any existing
lint from the dryer air flow conduit that was not previously
29
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
captured, and also increasing the amount of new lint captured
by the steel trap via the use of the lint capturing sheet in
the dryer lint trap/screen. The dryer
lint capturing sheet
disclosed herein may be used not only during dryer operation
to capture more lint, but also may be used to capture lint
which has deposited on dryer air flow conduit surfaces via
the use of a wand or other extensional device with a lint
capturing sheet on its end by extending it through the lint
trap door. In
addition, the lint capturing sheet disclosed
herein may be used to clean lint while the dryer is not in
use from other difficult to reach areas of the dryer with
some type of extensional device with the lint capturing sheet
at the end of the device. In this form of the lint capturing
sheet and device, when one is ready to use the lint capturing
sheets, the lint catching properties of a dry sheet may be
activated by wetting a dry sheet with sufficient amount of
water to achieve the original pre-drying concentrations of
the ingredients.
[075]
Applicants have attempted to disclose all embodiments
and applications of the disclosed subject matter that could
be reasonably foreseen. However, there may be unforeseeable,
insubstantial modifications that remain as equivalents.
While the present invention has been described in conjunction
with specific, exemplary embodiments thereof, it is evident
that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the
foregoing description without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, the present
disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications, and variations of the above detailed
description.
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (IWO
EFS-Web
[076] All patents, test procedures, and other documents
cited herein, including priority documents, are fully
incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is
not inconsistent with this invention and for all
jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted.
[077] When numerical lower limits and numerical upper
limits are listed herein, ranges from any lower limit to any
upper limit are contemplated.
[078] According to the present disclosure, an
advantageous method of capturing lint from the lint screen
during a clothes drying process includes: providing a lint
capturing sheet comprising a non-woven fabric saturated in an
aqueous solution of from 90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from
0.001 to 10 vol.% of water soluble ingredients, wherein the
non-woven fabric is negative on the Triboelectric series,
wherein the water soluble ingredients increase the electrical
conductivity of the water, and wherein the weight ratio of
non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in the lint
capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30, placing the lint
capturing sheet on a dryer lint screen prior to a clothes
drying cycle, and removing the lint capturing sheet from the
dryer lint screen after the clothes drying cycle to remove
lint from the clothes drying process.
[079] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates
to an advantageous lint capturing sheet comprising a non-
woven fabric saturated in an aqueous solution of from 90 to
99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
31
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30.
[080] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to
an advantageous method of making a lint capturing sheet
comprising: providing a non-woven fabric in roll form with
perforations along the length of the roll to provide for ease
of tearability of sheets from the roll, inserting the roll
into a container such that the roll stands on one of its
ends, placing into the container an aqueous solution of from
90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30, and placing a openable cover onto the top of the
container for sealing the container and for removal of a lint
capturing sheet from the roll saturated in the aqueous
solution.
[081] Still another aspect of the present disclosure
relates to an advantageous method of making a lint capturing
sheet comprising: providing a non-woven fabric in sheet form,
inserting a stack of the non-woven fabric in sheet form into
a container such that the stack sits on the bottom of the
container, placing into the container an aqueous solution of
from 90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of
water soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is
negative on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water
soluble ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of
32
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS -Web
the water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric
to the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges
from 1:1 to 1:30, and placing a openable cover onto the top
of the container for sealing the container and for removal of
a lint capturing sheet from the stack saturated in the
aqueous solution.
[082] Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates
to an advantageous method of cleaning lint from the internal
surfaces of a clothes dryer using a lint capturing sheet
comprising the steps of: providing a lint capturing sheet
including a non-woven fabric in sheet form saturated in an
aqueous solution of from 90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from
0.001 to 10 vol.% of water soluble ingredients, wherein the
non-woven fabric is negative on the Triboelectric series,
wherein the water soluble ingredients increase the electrical
conductivity of the water, and wherein the weight ratio of
non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in the lint
capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30; placing the lint
capturing sheet onto a wand to form a lint capturing cleaning
device; and using the lint capturing cleaning device to wipe
lint from non-readily accessible areas of the clothes dryer.
[083] These and other features and attributes of the
disclosed methods for capturing lint from the lint screen
during a clothes drying process, compositions of lint
capturing sheets and methods of making lint capturing sheets
of the present disclosure will be apparent from the detailed
description which follows.
[084] A method of capturing lint from the lint screen
during a clothes drying process is provided. The method
includes providing a lint capturing sheet comprising a non-
33
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
woven fabric saturated in an aqueous solution of from 90 to
99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30, placing the lint capturing sheet on a dryer lint
screen prior to a clothes drying cycle, and removing the lint
capturing sheet from the dryer lint screen after the clothes
drying cycle to remove lint from the clothes drying process.
[085] In one aspect the aqueous solution is from 99 to
99.99 vol.% water and from 0.01 to 1 vol.% of water soluble
ingredients. The method includes the water soluble
ingredients are chosen from ionic water soluble compounds,
non-ionic water soluble compounds and combinations thereof.
[086] In one aspect the non-ionic water soluble compounds
are chosen from acids, bases, alcohols, glycols, polyglycols,
vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidones,
aldehydes, ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated surfactants,
propoxylated surfactants and combinations thereof.
[087] In one aspect the ionic water soluble compounds are
chosen from salts of alkali halides, sulphates and
phosphates; alkali metal salts of water soluble organic
acids; and combinations thereof.
[088] In one aspect the weight ratio of non-woven fabric
to the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges
from 1:1 to 1:20.
34
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
[089] In one aspect the non-woven fabric is chosen from
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester,
polyamide,
polyvinylchloride, and polyvinyl acetate.
[090] In one aspect the aqueous solution further includes
a disinfecting agent at from 0.01 to 10 yol.%.
[091] In one aspect the disinfecting agent is chosen from
propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, hydrogen
peroxide,
triclosan, benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol, propyl
alcohol, ethyl alcohol, phenols, chloramines, peracids and
combinations thereof.
[092] In one aspect the aqueous solution further includes
a fragrancing agent at from 0.01 to 1 yol.%.
[093] In one aspect the fragrancing agent is chosen from
esters, linear terpenes, cyclic terpenes, aromatics,
alcohols, ketones, fragrant aldehydes and combinations
thereof.
[094] In one aspect the aqueous solution further includes
an anticorrosive agent at from 0.01 to 1 yol%.
[095] In one aspect the anticorrosive agent is chosen from
alkali benzoates, amines, phosphates, tin salts, hydrazines
and combinations thereof.
[096] In one aspect static charge is removed from the lint
screen by providing grounding of charges.
[097] In one aspect including using a clip, a non-magnetic
adhesive, a magnetic adhesive, a magnetic non-woven fabric,
or combinations thereof to secure the lint capturing sheet to
the dryer lint screen prior to a clothes drying cycle.
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[098] In one aspect a lint capturing sheet comprising a
non-woven fabric saturated in an aqueous solution of from 90
to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30.
[099] In one aspect lint capturing sheet wherein the
aqueous solution is from 99 to 99.99 vol.% water and from
0.01 to 1 vol.% of water soluble ingredients.
[0100] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
water soluble ingredients are chosen from ionic water soluble
compounds, non-ionic
water soluble compounds and
combinations thereof.
[0101] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
non-ionic water soluble compounds are chosen from acids,
bases, alcohols, glycols, polyglycols, vinyl alcohols,
polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, aldehydes,
ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated surfactants, propoxylated
surfactants and combinations thereof.
[0102] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
ionic water soluble compounds are chosen from salts of alkali
halides, sulphates and phosphates; alkali metal salts of
water soluble organic acids; and combinations thereof.
[0103] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
weight ratio of non-woven fabric to the aqueous solution in
the lint capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:20.
36
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[0104] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
non-woven fabric is chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene,
polyester, polyamide, polyvinylchloride, and polyvinyl
acetate.
[0105] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
non-woven fabric is polyester.
[0106] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
aqueous solution further includes a disinfecting agent at
from 0.01 to 10 vol.%.
[0107] In one
aspect The lint capturing sheet of claim 24,
wherein the disinfecting agent is chosen from propylene
glycol, triethylene glycol, hydrogen
peroxide, triclosan,
benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethyl
alcohol, phenols,
chloramines, peracids and combinations
thereof.
[0108] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
aqueous solution further includes a fragrancing agent at from
0.01 to 1 vol.%.
[0109] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
fragrancing agent is chosen from esters, linear terpenes,
cyclic terpenes, aromatics, alcohols, ketones, fragrant
aldehydes and combinations thereof.
[0110] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
aqueous solution further includes an anticorrsive agent at
from 0.01 to 1 V01%.
37
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS-Web
[0111] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
anticorrosive agent is chosen from alkali benzoates, amines,
phosphates, tin salts, hydrazines and combinations thereof.
[0112] In one
aspect the lint capturing sheet wherein the
water is non-deionized water.
[0113] The method of making a lint capturing sheet
providing a non-woven fabric in roll form with perforations
along the length of the roll to provide for ease of
tearability of sheets from the roll and inserting the roll
into a container such that the roll stands on one of its
ends, placing into the container an aqueous solution of from
90 to 99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30, and placing
an openable cover onto the top of
the container for sealing the container and for removal of a
lint capturing sheet from the roll saturated in the aqueous
solution.
[0114] The
method in the aqueous solution is from 99 to
99.99 vol.% water and from 0.01 to 1 vol.% of water soluble
ingredients.
[0115] The
method wherein the water soluble ingredients are
chosen from ionic water soluble compounds, non-ionic
water
soluble compounds and combinations thereof.
[0116] The method wherein the non-ionic water soluble
compounds are chosen from acids, bases, alcohols, glycols,
38
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US ( PAR)
EFS-Web
polyglycols, vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl
pyrrolidones, aldehydes, ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated
surfactants, propoxylated surfactants and combinations
thereof.
[0117] The
method wherein the ionic water soluble compounds
are chosen from salts of alkali halides, sulphates and
phosphates; alkali metal salts of water soluble organic
acids; and combinations thereof.
[0118] The
method wherein the non-woven fabric is chosen
from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide,
polyvinylchloride, and polyvinyl acetate.
[0119] The method wherein the aqueous solution further
includes a disinfecting agent at from 0.01 to 10 vol.%.
[0120] The
method wherein the disinfecting agent is chosen
from propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, hydrogen
peroxide, triclosan, benzalkonium chloride, ethyl alcohol,
propyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, phenols, chloramines,
peracids and combinations thereof.
[0121] The
method wherein the aqueous solution further
includes a fragrancing agent at from 0.01 to 1 vol.%.
[0122] The
method wherein the fragrancing agent is chosen
from esters, linear terpenes, cyclic terpenes, aromatics,
alcohols, ketones, fragrant aldehydes and combinations
thereof.
[0123] The
method wherein the aqueous solution further
includes an anticorrosive agent at from 0.01 to 1 V01%.
39
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS -Web
[0124] The method wherein the anticorrosive agent is chosen
from alkali benzoates, amines, phosphates, tin salts,
hydrazines and combinations thereof.
[0125] The method wherein static charge is removed from the
lint screen by providing grounding of charges.
[0126] The method wherein the container and openable cover
comprise plastic or glass.
[0127] The method wherein the plastic is chosen from
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and
polyester.
[0128] The method of making a lint capturing sheet
providing a non-woven fabric in sheet form, inserting a stack
of the non-woven fabric in sheet form into a container such
that the stack sits on the bottom of the container, placing
into the container an aqueous solution of from 90 to 99.999
vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water soluble
ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative on the
Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble ingredients
increase the electrical conductivity of the water, and
wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to the aqueous
solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from 1:1 to 1:30,
and placing an openable cover onto the top of the container
for sealing the container and for removal of a lint capturing
sheet from the stack saturated in the aqueous solution.
[0129] The method wherein the water soluble ingredients are
chosen from ionic water soluble compounds, non-ionic water
soluble compounds and combinations thereof.
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US (PAR)
EFS -Web
[0130] The method wherein the non-ionic water soluble
compounds are chosen from acids, bases, alcohols, glycols,
polyglycols, vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl
pyrrolidones, aldehydes, ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated
surfactants, propoxylated surfactants and combinations
thereof.
[0131] The method wherein the ionic water soluble compounds
are chosen from salts of alkali halides, sulphates and
phosphates; alkali metal salts of water soluble organic
acids; and combinations thereof.
[0132] The method wherein the non-woven fabric is chosen
from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide,
polyvinylchloride, and polyvinyl acetate.
[0133] The method of cleaning lint from the internal
surfaces of a clothes dryer using a lint capturing sheet
providing a lint capturing sheet including a non-woven fabric
in sheet form saturated in an aqueous solution of from 90 to
99.999 vol.% water and from 0.001 to 10 vol.% of water
soluble ingredients, wherein the non-woven fabric is negative
on the Triboelectric series, wherein the water soluble
ingredients increase the electrical conductivity of the
water, and wherein the weight ratio of non-woven fabric to
the aqueous solution in the lint capturing sheet ranges from
1:1 to 1:30, placing the lint capturing sheet onto a wand or
other extensional device to form a lint capturing cleaning
device using the lint capturing cleaning device to wipe lint
from non-readily accessible areas of the clothes dryer.
41
CA 02808955 2013-03-11
1179P014782-US(PAR)
EFS-Web
[0134] The method wherein the water soluble ingredients are
chosen from ionic water soluble compounds, non-ionic water
soluble compounds and combinations thereof.
[0135] The method wherein the non-ionic water soluble
compounds are chosen from acids, bases, alcohols, glycols,
polyglycols, vinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl
pyrrolidones, aldehydes, ketones, carbowaxes, ethoxylated
surfactants, propoxylated surfactants and combinations
thereof.
[0136] The method wherein the ionic water soluble compounds
are chosen from salts of alkali halides, sulphates and
phosphates; alkali metal salts of water soluble organic
acids; and combinations thereof.
[0137] The method wherein the non-readily accessible areas
include the opening of the lint trap and the housing between
the lint trap and the exhaust vent of the clothes dryer.
[0138] It should be understood that the foregoing
description is only illustrative of the aspects of the
disclosed embodiment. Various alternatives and modifications
can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing
from the aspects of the disclosed embodiment. Accordingly,
the aspects of the disclosed embodiment are intended to
embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances
that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further,
the mere fact that different features are recited in mutually
different dependent or independent claims does not indicate
that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously
used, such a combination remaining within the scope of the
aspects of the invention.
42
