Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-06
2001-10-09
DelCotto, Gregory (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S280000, C008S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300299
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prevention and removal of stains on carpeting and other fabrics is a major concern. However, one particular stain, turmeric, such as in mustard, has been found to be extremely difficult both to prevent and remove, particularly from nylon and wool. Available treatments for providing stain resistance and spill repellency do not protect adequately from such stains. The difficulty experienced in the prevention and removal of mustard stains is well documented, for instance, Internet pages intended for advice to consumers from companies engaged in carpet cleaning and carpet-cleaning products may be cited.
At http://www.webopages.com/plush/mustard.html, Plush Carpet Cleaning (a carpet cleaning company in Utah) provides a “Do-it-yourself Spot Removal Guide”, and, in the entry for mustard stains, suggests, extensive soaking with detergent solutions and cautious bleaching, but concludes, “Mustard stains are practically impossible to remove from some synthetic materials.” At http://www.fabriclink.com/carpet/untreatable.html sponsored by Wear-Dated fibers from Solutia (formerly Monsanto) mustard with turmeric is listed among stains “that cannot be removed”, since such stains have permanently altered the carpet's color. The advice concludes “Most likely the only solution is to insert carpet from a closet, or some other area into the area where the spot is cut out.” At http://www.marsons.com/spspt.html, Marsons (a carpet cleaning company) provides a spot cleaning guide, including for mustard: “Because it contains a disperse dye, mustard is very difficult to totally remove if not impossible!”
Elsewhere, in “Today's Chemist” (February 2000, p. 112), the opinion of Pat Slavin, Manager of Consumer Report's Textile Testing Laboratory (Yonkers N.Y.) is reported. Slavin was quoted therein as saying a procedure for removing mustard stains from clothing was to wash the fabric with soap and water followed by placement of the fabric in sunlight to fade the stain. Such a process is impractical for carpeting in many instances, for example if the stain is on a large or fitted carpet. Various cleaning agents (including peroxide) for removing carpet stains have been described in the patent literature. However, mustard is not discussed specifically, nor is any combination cleaning with light reported.
Clearly there is a need for a better method for the removal of turmeric stains, such as mustard stains, that can be used on carpets and other fabrics. The present invention provides such a process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a process for removing turmeric stains from nylon or wool articles comprising (a) applying a solution of an oxidizing agent to the stained area, and (b) exposing the stained area to light of ultraviolet wavelength.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Tradenames and trademarks are indicated herein by capitalization. The term “turmeric stain” as used herein means yellow turmeric stains from any source. Yellow turmeric stains are found in various foods in addition to mustard, such as chicken soup, pickles, and spicy sauces. Such stains can be removed completely by the process of this invention.
This invention comprises a process for the effective removal of stains, particularly colored organic stains such as that from turmeric, that are resistant to simple washing, wiping, or the use of detergent-based spot stain removers. The process of this invention is directed towards nylon 6, nylon 66, and wool fabrics, such as carpets and textiles, including upholstery, and clothing, etc. Fibers such as polyester and polypropylene are not stained by turmeric; spills can be removed with detergent and water. The process of this invention is to use an ultraviolet (UV) lamp in conjuction and simultaneously with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The process of this invention causes the yellow stain completely and rapidly to disappear without changing the color of the surrounding, unstained carpet or other fabric. The process of this invention provides major advantages and conveniences over prior art procedures. For instance, compared with sunlight bleaching, the process of this invention allows stain removal without moving the carpet or fabric outside into sunlight or waiting for sunshine. The process of this invention uses readily available hydrogen peroxide solution and affords easily controlled exposure to just the stained area without exposure to undesirable outdoor conditions such as humidity, pollen, insects, bird and other animals, temperature extremes, and unpredictable weather changes. By the use of a long wavelength UV lamp, the shorter wavelength UV light most damaging to fabrics is avoided. Finally the process of this invention is readily limited to just the stained areas of the carpet or other fabric, minimizing any effect on the overall carpet or fabric. Aggressive cleaning agents such as bleach remove not only the turmeric stain but the dyes and colors in the carpet or other fabric. Mild cleaning agents alone are not effective at removing the tough turmeric stain. The combination of the hydrogen peroxide and the long wavelength UV light is demonstrably more effective than either process alone.
The UV lamps suitable for the process of this invention are battery- or alternating current-powered lamps emitting UV light. UV radiation ranges are commonly described as UV-A (400-320 nm, biologically relatively benign), UV-B (320-290 nm, biologically damaging), and UV-C (less than 290 nm, very damaging but absent in sunlight at sea level). While all these wavelengths can be used in the practice of this invention, the longer wavelengths of the UV-A range such as from about 320 nm to about 400 nm, are preferred to minimize risk of carpet or other fabric damage and for reasons of safety. Long wavelength UV lamps, i.e. those emitting a band of radiation centered near 365 nm, were found to provide effective removal of the turmeric stain without posing a hazard to those practicing this invention and also without damaging the carpet or article. Shorter wavelength UV light risks harming eyesight, biological tissue, the stained surface, fabric and fabric color. Light emitted in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (greater than 400 nm) is less effective at removing the turmeric stain. Some powerful visible lights can emit enough light in the long wavelength UV region of the spectrum to remove the stain. The amount of UV light exposure time necessary to remove the turmeric stain will depend on the power of the lamp as well as the lamp's emission spectrum. Low wattage lamps will require extended exposure times. A 100-watt, long wavelength lamp manufactured by UVP effectively removes a mustard stain in approximately 10 minutes. Two examples of suitable UV lamps are provided in the Materials Section below, but the process of this invention is not dependant on the use of specific long wavelength UV lamps.
Suitable aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions are those containing 3% to 27% by weight hydrogen peroxide, with the most preferred range of 10% to 20%. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide pose an unnecessary hazard to those practicing this invention and risk damaging the carpet or other fabric. Lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide may require many repeated cycles of treatment followed by UV exposure to remove all of the turmeric stain. For this invention, the hydrogen peroxide solution effectively removed the turmeric stain across the pH range of 2 to 10. The amount of hydrogen peroxide solution used in the cleaning process of this invention is an amount sufficient to wet thoroughly, but not saturate, the stained area. The use of a saturating amount causes the hydrogen peroxide solution to spread excessively into the surrounding unstained carpeting or fabric and should be avoided. However, if the stained area is not thoroughly wetted, additional repeated UV exposure cycles may be required. The amount of hydrogen peroxide solution necessary to thoroughly wet a stained area on the carpet or fabric depends on the s
Dittman Misty D
Murphy Peter M
Delcotto Gregory
E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
Petruncio John M
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