Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Cleaning or laundering – Removing formation impurities from artifical fiber
Patent
1998-01-13
1999-10-19
Diamond, Alan
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Cleaning or laundering
Removing formation impurities from artifical fiber
8159, 510276, 510279, 510283, 510284, 510406, 510281, 510295, 510293, 510370, D06B 100, D06L 112
Patent
active
059682027
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method for cleaning textile fabrics.
Today's handwashing and machine washing methods for cleaning textile fabrics almost invariably involve dissolving a granular product, or a liquid product, into water to form an aqueous washing solution (the wash "liquor"). For economic usage of the product it is necessary to measure out the granular or liquid product before dissolving it in water. Typically the product is scooped or poured into a measuring cup and then added either directly into water, or via a dispensing drawer or a dispensing device. There is always the risk of spillage. In the case of liquids there is likely to be a residue remaining in the measuring cup, and there is the risk of dripping.
A fabric cleaning foam delivered by means of an aerosol container offers a departure from conventional washing methods.
An improved method is sought for cleaning textile fabrics either by hand, or in a conventional washing machine using a dispensing means which does not require a measuring or dosing step which must be performed either by the consumer, or by special adaptation of the washing machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,599, issued on Mar. 12, 1974, discloses a fabric cleaning foam delivered using an aerosol container. In particular Example III discloses a detergent composition comprising 28% phosphate, 3% monoethanolamide foaming agent, and 69% water. A CFC propellant was used. However, the compositions are intended for use in a conventional clothes dryer which is stated to provide a tumbling dry-heat, and a substantially anhydrous environment. Washing in aqueous solution is not suggested, indeed it is specifically avoided.
Most conventional detergent active components however are most effective in the presence of water. Surfactants, for example, depend for their surface active effect on a molecule which is hydrophobic on one end and hydrophilic at the other end. The hydrophilic end interacts with water molecules in the aqueous wash solution. Builders and chelants are used in detergent compositions principally for their ability to remove certain metal ions from aqueous solution.
There exists a need to provide detergent active components into a wash solution by simple, mess-free means.
The present invention addresses this need by delivering detergent active components into the wash liquor in the form of a foam dispensed from a conventional aerosol container. It is an advantage of the present method that no scoop or cup, and no measuring device is needed because the foam is dispensed directly from the aerosol container either onto the fabric, or onto the hand, or onto the surface of the water. The amount or "dose" can be readily and accurately estimated by the volume of the foam dispensed from the container. In one embodiment of the invention the aerosol canister itself is provided with a dosing means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention the objective is achieved by a method of cleaning textile fabrics comprising the steps of:
In one aspect of the method of the invention, the detergent foam may be completely dissolved in the water before the textile fabrics are introduced to the aqueous solution. In an alternative aspect the dissolving of the foam and the agitation of the fabrics in the water may take place simultaneously.
In a first embodiment of the invention the agitation of the textile fabrics in the aqueous solution is carried out by hand. This is of particular benefit for delicate textile fabrics such as those made from wool or silk.
In a second alternative embodiment of the invention the agitation of the textile fabrics is carried out in a conventional washing machine. Preferably the load of soiled textile fabrics is loaded into the washing machine. The foam may then be dispensed from the aerosol container directly into the machine drum, on top of the textile fabrics, or it may be dispensed onto one of the items of the load, on onto the hand, and then transferred into the machine drum. The washing machine may then be operated in the usual way, that is to sa
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Verbiest Jan Hendrik Maria
Wevers Jean
Bolam B. M.
Diamond Alan
Goodrich D. M.
Rasser J. C.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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