Wrinkle reducing composition

Details Wrinkle reducing composition Wrinkle reducing composition

2000-10-27

2003-05-27

Green, Anthony J. (Department: 1755)

Compositions

Compositions for enhancing the appearance of consumer...

C252S008610, C038S144000, C424S076100, C424S076200, C427S393200, C510S513000, C510S515000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06569345

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fabric care compositions and to a method for treating fabrics in order to improve various properties of fabrics, in particular, reduction or removal of unwanted wrinkles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wrinkles in fabrics are caused by the bending and creasing of the textile material which places an external portion of a filament in a yam under tension while the internal portion of that filament in the yarn is placed under compression. Particularly with cotton fabrics, the hydrogen bonding that occurs between the cellulose molecules contributes to keeping wrinkles in place. The wrinkling of fabric, in particular clothing, is therefore subject to the inherent tensional elastic deformation and recovery properties of the fibers which constitute the yarn and fabrics.
In the modern world, with the increase of hustle and bustle and travel, there is a demand for a quick fix which will help to diminish the labor involved in home laundering and/or the cost and time involved in dry cleaning or commercial laundering. This has brought additional pressure to bear on textile technologists to produce a product that will sufficiently reduce wrinkles in fabrics, especially clothing, and to produce a good appearance through a simple, convenient application of a product.
The present invention reduces wrinkles from fabrics, including clothing, dry cleanables, and draperies, without the need for ironing. The present invention can be used on damp or dry clothing to relax wrinkles and give clothes a ready to wear look that is demanded by today's fast paced world. The present invention also essentially eliminates the need for touch up ironing usually associated with closet, drawer, and suitcase storage of garments.
When ironing is desired however, the present invention can also act as an excellent ironing aid. The present invention makes the task of ironing easier and faster by creating less iron drag. When used as an ironing aid, the composition of the present invention produces a crisp, smooth appearance.
An additional benefit of the composition of the present invention is an improved garment shape, body and crispness.
A further additional benefit to invention composition is the variety of fabric that can be treated from the more resistant to the more delicate including fabric made of cotton, polycotton, polyester, viscose, rayon, silk, wool, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wrinkle reducing composition, comprising:
A. a wrinkle reducing active, comprising a nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant and a salt made of alkaline and/or earth alkaline metal, and
B. a liquid aqueous carrier.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaged composition comprising the composition of the invention in a spray dispenser.
Still in a further aspect of the invention, there is a method of reducing the wrinkles on fabrics which comprises the steps of contacting the fabrics with a composition of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A. Wrinkle Reducing Actives
1-Nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant
The present invention, in one aspect uses a nonionic humectant of the polyhydric alcohol type. Typical of these compounds are the low molecular weight polyols.
Low molecular weight polyols with relatively high boiling points, as compared to water, are essential ingredients of the composition of the present invention.
By “low molecular weight”, it is meant that the compounds preferably have a molecular weight below 1000, preferably from 50 to 500, more preferably from 55 to 200.
Preferably, these polyols are short chain. By “short chain”, it is meant that the compounds have a carbon chain length of less than 10 carbon atoms, preferably less than 8 carbon atoms.
Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the incorporation of a small amount of nonionic polyhydric alcohol humectant into the compositions containing the water-soluble wetting agent reinforces the hydrogen breaking process as well as reducing the fabric drying rate, thereby allowing more time to the fabric to relax.
Preferred polyols for use herein are selected from polyols having from 2 to 8 hydroxy groups.
Preferably the glycol used is glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, sorbitol, erythritol or mixtures thereof, more preferably diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.
Some polyols, e.g., dipropylene glycol, are also useful to facilitate the solubilization of some perfume ingredients in the composition of the present invention. Both diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol are favored for use herein as it provides non-stickiness properties on hard surfaces and/or fabrics.
The humectant is present in the composition in a sufficient amount to result in an amount of from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 3%, more preferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active per weight of dry fabrics.
Typically, the humectant is added to the composition of the present invention at a level of from about 0.01% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.
2-Salt
The present invention in one aspect uses a salt to contribute to the hydrogen bond breaking process produces by the water. It also reinforces the wetting power of any present water-soluble surfactant, if present. The salt is further believed to facilitate the dewrinkling action by maintaining a residual humidity of fibers.
The salt useful in the present invention is made of alkaline and/or earth alkaline metal, and is a compound that can form hydrates upon crystallization. Typically, the salt for use in the present invention have the following formula: AM;
wherein A is a cation. This cation is an alkaline and/or earth alkaline metal, preferably selected from sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium; more preferably sodium and calcium, and
wherein M is a couteranion selected from sulfate, chloride, nitrate, carbonate, borate, and carboxylates.
Preferred salts are salts selected from sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium and mixtures thereof; more preferably salt of sodium, calcium, and mixtures thereof.
Particularly preferred salts for use herein are selected from sodium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium borate, potassium sulphate, calcium chloride, sodium citrate, magnesium sulphate, and mixtures thereof, more preferably are selected from sodium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulphate, calcium chloride, and mixtures thereof.
The salt is present in the composition in a sufficient amount to result in an amount of from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 3%, more preferably from 0.01% to 1.50% by weight of active per weight of dry fabrics.
Accordingly, typical levels of the salt in the composition are from 0.01% to about 10%, by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.
B. Liquid Carrier
The liquid carrier used in the composition of the present invention is an aqueous system comprising water. Optionally, but not preferably, in addition to the water, the carrier can contain a low molecular weight organic solvent that is highly soluble in water, e.g., C
1
-C
4
monohydric alcohols, alkylene carbonates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of these water-soluble solvents include ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc. Water is the main liquid carrier due to its low cost, availability, safety, and environmental compatibility. Water can be distilled, deionized, or tap water.
The level of liquid carrier in the compositions of the present invention is typically greater than 80%, preferably greater than 90%, more preferably greater than 95%, by weight of the composition. When a concentrated composition is used, the level of liquid carrier is typically from 50% to 95%, by weight of the composition, preferably from 60% to 97%, more preferably from 70% to 99%, by weight of

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