Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Specific organic component
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-13
2004-02-24
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Specific organic component
C510S516000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06696405
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to the use of certain hydrocarbon compounds to improve the crease recovery properties of a fabric, to garment care products adapted for use in a tumble dryer and fabric care compositions which comprise the hydrocarbon and to a method of treating a fabric to improve its crease recovery properties.
The creasing of fabrics is an almost inevitable consequence of cleaning fabrics, such as in a domestic laundering process. Creasing can be a particular problem for fabrics which contain cellulosic fibres such as cotton because the creasing is often difficult to remove. Generally, the creases which are developed in a fabric during laundering are removed by ironing. However, because ironing is generally seen as time-consuming and an unenjoyable activity, there is an increasing trend for fabrics to be designed such that the need for ironing is reduced or that the fabric is easier to iron. The term “crease recovery properties”, as used herein, covers the need for ironing and/or ease of ironing. Thus, an improvement in crease recovery properties means a reduction in the need for ironing and/or increased ease of ironing.
Compositions for reducing the wrinkling of fabric are described in WO 96/15310. The compositions contain a silicone and a film-forming polymer and it appears that the lubricating effect of the silicone is responsible for the anti-wrinkle properties of the compositions.
Industrial treatments of fabrics to reduce their tendency to crease are also known. JP-A-04-50234 describes a textile treatment in which the crease resistance of a plain weave cotton fabric is increased by applying a resin to the fabric. However, in order to achieve the crease resistance, this document teaches that the resin is applied at a relatively high amount of 10% by weight on weight of fabric and it is likely that this relatively high level of resin will affect other physical properties of the fabric.
Squalane, a saturated C
30
aliphatic hydrocarbon which can be obtained from natural sources, is widely used in cosmetic formulations for skin care, for moisture retention and wrinkle reduction. Emulsions containing squalane for applying a finish to fabrics are disclosed in JP-A-02-286708 and JP-A-02-38461. Dry cleaning using squalane-containing solvents is taught in JP-A-63-260998. Softening agents for finishing fabrics and textiles which contain squalane are mentioned in JP-A-07-42073 and JP-A-07-03637.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the crease recovery of fabrics.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of improving the crease resistance properties of a fabric which can be carried out as part of a laundering process.
The present invention is based on the finding that certain hydrocarbons can improve the crease recovery properties of a fabric.
According to the invention, therefore, there is provided the use of a C
20
-C
40
saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, which has a melting point below 0° C., to improve the crease recovery properties of a fabric.
Also provided by the invention is a garment care product adapted for use in a tumble dryer comprising a C
20
-C
40
saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, which has a melting point below 0° C., for use in a spraying device.
A further aspect of the invention is a fabric care composition comprising a C
20
-C
40
saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon which has a melting point below 0° C. and a textile compatible carrier, wherein the carrier facilitates contact between the hydrocarbon and the fabric. A method of producing the fabric care composition, which is provided in another aspect of the invention, comprises forming an emulsion comprising the hydrocarbon and the textile compatible carrier.
The products and compositions of the invention preferably comprise a perfume.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a fabric in order to improve its crease recovery properties which method comprises applying to the fabric a C
20
-C
40
saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, which has a melting point below 0° C.
The hydrocarbon which is used in the present invention has a melting point below 0° C., preferably below −10° C., more preferably below −20° C. This preference for low melting points primarily derives from the need for the hydrocarbon to be a liquid not only at the temperature at which it is applied to the fabric but also at all temperatures to which the fabric treated with the hydrocarbon is normally likely to be exposed. If the hydrocarbon solidifies, this can be undesirable because its physical properties and, in turn, the physical properties of the fabric, may change.
Preferably, the hydrocarbon comprises a straight chain backbone, such as a C
20
to C
30
chain for example, substituted with two or more C
1
-C
3
alkyl groups. When the alkyl group is a C
3
group, it may be branched. Substitution on the straight chain backbone tends to reduce the melting point of the hydrocarbon relative to compounds not so substituted.
The straight chain backbone of the hydrocarbon is preferably substituted with two or more methyl groups, such as four to eight methyl groups (eg, six methyl groups), for example.
Suitable hydrocarbons include squalane and derivatives of squalane preferably saturated derivatives. Examples are derivatives of squalane in which the compounds are mono- or poly-substituted with C
1
-C
3
alkyl groups or a homologue of any of these compounds (ie, a derivative of said compounds having one or more additional methylene —CH
2
— groups in the molecule or one or more fewer methylene groups in the molecule). Preferably, the hydrocarbon is squalane which is colourless, substantially odourless and has been used in cosmetic formulations with claims for skin care benefits. The squalane can be synthetic or obtained from natural sources (eg, animal and/or vegetable sources).
Preferably, the hydrocarbons are saturated. Where the hydrocarbons are unsaturated, they preferably contain one or two, more preferably one, unsaturated carbon—carbon double bonds.
The hydrocarbon used in the present invention may be a single hydrocarbon or a mixture of hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons may be formulated with other additives. Suitable additives in formulations containing the hydrocarbon include materials which impart benefits to a fabric or those which improve the acceptability of the hydrocarbon to the user of the formulation, such as one or more perfume agents.
The hydrocarbon is conveniently delivered to the fabric as part of a laundering process. The laundering process may be carried out on a large scale or a small scale (eg, domestically). However, the hydrocarbon may also be applied to the fabric in a larger scale, industrial treatment process.
When the hydrocarbon is applied to the fabric during a laundering process, such as a domestic laundering process, it is preferably delivered after the fabric has been treated with a main wash detergent composition. Thus, the hydrocarbon may be applied to the fabric during the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine. Alternatively, the hydrocarbon may be applied to the fabric after rinsing but before drying of the fabric, during drying (in a tumble dryer, for example) or before or during ironing.
In the context of the present invention the term “textile compatible carrier” is a component which can assist in the interaction of the first component with the fabric. The carrier can also provide benefits in addition to those provided by the first component eg softening, cleaning etc. The carrier may be water or a fabric softener or conditioning compound or other suitable fabric treatment agent.
Therefore, the fabric care composition of the invention may be a rinse composition such as a fabric conditioning composition or a rinse adjunct. The rinse adjunct and the fabric conditioning composition may contain conventional additives, such as perfume agents, for example. The fabric conditioning composition may contain a fabric softening agent such as a quaternary ammonium compound of
Bornstein Alan A.
Hardee John
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA , division of Conopco, Inc.
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