Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Specific organic component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-03
2002-12-17
Delcotto, Gregory (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Specific organic component
C510S281000, C510S283000, C510S284000, C510S351000, C510S350000, C510S356000, C510S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06495510
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fluid cleaning compositions for stain removal from stain garments, and in particular, to stain removal compositions for home dry cleaning processes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
By classical definition, the term “dry cleaning” has been used to describe processes for cleaning textiles using nonaqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art, with solvent cleaning first being recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1860's. Typically, dry cleaning processes are used with garments such as woolens which are subject to shrinkage in aqueous laundering baths, or which are judged to be too valuable or too delicate to subject to aqueous laundering processes. Various hydrocarbon and halocarbon solvents have traditionally been used in immersion dry cleaning processes, and the need to handle and reclaim such solvents has mainly restricted the practice of conventional dry cleaning to commercial establishments.
One type of home dry cleaning system comprises a carrier sheet containing various cleaning agents, and a plastic bag. The garments to be cleaned are placed in the bag together with the sheet, and then tumbled in a conventional clothes dryer. In a commercial embodiment, multiple single-use flat sheets and a single multi-use plastic bag are provided in a package. Unfortunately, such processes may not satisfactorily remove stains from heavily soiled or “spotted” areas of the fabrics being dry cleaned.
As is well known, soiled garments may be “pre-spotted” on localized areas using so-called “spot removal” compositions prior to cleaning or laundering. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,942,484 and 5,849,039 disclose compositions wherein butoxy propoxy propanol (BPP) is a preferred cleaning solvent. However, the spot cleaning compositions disclosed therein do not perform favorably on oily and greasy stains.
Compositions having higher levels of amine oxides are known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,549,842; 5,916,859; 4,783,283; 5,688,435; 5,462,689 all disclose cleaning compositions having higher levels of amine oxides. However, these patents are all directed toward hard surface and bleaching compositions which are entirely unsuitable (due to the use of hypochlorite bleaches and abrasives) for use on the fine fabrics to which a spot cleaning formulation for home dry cleaning would typically be applied.
Accordingly, the need remains for fluid cleaning compositions that provide superior cleaning performance for oily/greasy stain removal while delivering lower levels of suds during cleaning than conventional fluid cleaning formulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by the present invention wherein a fluid cleaning composition demonstrating superior performance on oily/greasy stains is provided. The fluid cleaning compositions of the present invention provide superior performance as a stain cleaning formula fabrics. The superior performance benefits of the present invention is provided by elevated levels of amine oxides when used in conjunction with low levels of co-surfactant. In highly preferred compositions according to the present invention, the surfactant is an anionic surfactant at a level of less than about 5% by weight of the composition and more particularly an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant and the amine oxide is used in a molar ratio of from about 5:4 to about 9:1 to the surfactant.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a fluid cleaning composition for superior oily/greasy stain removal is provided. The fluid cleaning composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight of a tertiary amine oxide having the formula:
wherein R
1
is a C
10
-C
25
linear or branched alkyl group, and R
2
and R
3
are independently selected from C
1
-C
4
alkyl groups and C
2
-C
4
hydroxy alkyl groups; from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof, preferably an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant or alkyl ether carboxylates; and the balance detergent adjunct ingredients; wherein the molar ratio of amine oxide to total surfactant is from about 5:4 to about 9:1 and the composition is substantially free of halide bleaching agents.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a process for removing a stain from a localized stained area on a fabric, comprising the steps of placing the stained area of the fabric over and in contact with an absorbent stain receiver; applying a fluid cleaning composition to the stain from a container having a dispenser spout, the fluid cleaning composition comprising from about 0.01% to about 20% by weight of a tertiary amine oxide having the formula as described herein; from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition of anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, and the balance detergent adjunct ingredients; wherein the molar ratio of amine oxide to total surfactant is from about 5:4 to about 9:1 and the composition is substantially free of halide bleaching agents; and concurrently or consecutively with step (b), rubbing or pressing the cleaning composition into the stain using the distal tip of the spout, whereby the stain is transferred into the stain receiver.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid cleaning composition for stain cleaning. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid cleaning composition having superior performance on oily/greasy stains via the use of elevated levels of amine oxides in relation to the surfactant system in the formula. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of removing a stain from a stained fabric via the use of the compositions of the present invention. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated by reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The fluid cleaning compositions of the present invention provide superior cleaning performance on greasy and oily stains. The compositions of the present invention achieve this improved performance via the use of elevated levels of amine oxide in conjunction with co-surfactants and in particular anionic surfactants. In addition, the total amount of surfactant is controlled such that excessive foaming on the cleaned fabrics does not occur. These fluid cleaning compositions provide particular advantages as stain removal formulas in home dry cleaning processes wherein the fabrics are not cleaned via an immersion cleaning but rather via a direct application of the cleaning formula to a stained fabric followed by drying in a home laundry dryer.
In a preferred method of cleaning of the present invention, the improved fluid cleaning composition is used in conjunction with the use of an absorbent stain receiver and is releasably housed within a container which is provided with a dispensing means. (The combination of container and its dispensing means is herein referred to conjointly as the “dispenser”). In the process of this invention, a fabric is inspected for any localized area of stain. The stained area is then placed in close contact with an absorbent stain receiver and treated by means of the dispenser.
Fluid Cleaning Composition
The fluid cleaning composition of the present invention comprises the combination of amine oxides at elevated levels with a surfactant system, and in particular anionic surfactants. The amine oxides for use in the present invention are preferably tertiary amine oxides having the formula:
wherein R
1
is a C
10
-C
25
linear or branched alkyl group, and each of R
2
and R
3
are independently selected from C
1
-C
4
alkyl groups and C
2
-C
4
hydroxy alkyl groups. In preferred embodiments, R
1
is a C
12
-C
18
linear
Cook C. Brant
Delcotto Gregory
Miller Steve W.
Procter & Gamble
Zerby Kim W.
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