Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Auxiliary compositions for cleaning – or processes of preparing – Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-01
2003-02-04
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Auxiliary compositions for cleaning, or processes of preparing
Textile softening or antistatic composition
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514932
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL 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, wrinkle resistance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The domestic treatment of fabric is a problem known in the art to the formulator of laundry compositions. Hence, It is well known that alternating cycles of using and laundering fabrics and textiles, such as articles of worn clothing and apparel, will inevitably adversely affect the appearance and integrity of the fabric and textile items so used and laundered. Fabrics and textiles simply wear out over time and with use. Laundering of fabrics and textiles is necessary to remove soils and stains which accumulate therein and thereon during ordinary use. However, the laundering operation itself, over many cycles, can accentuate and contribute to the deterioration of the integrity and the appearance of such fabrics and textiles.
One solution for improving the appearance and integrity of the fabric can be found in WO98/04772 which provides the treatment of fabric against fabric creasing by application of a composition comprising a polycarboxylic acid or derivative thereof; and then curing the composition using a domestic process. However, it has been found that, although effective in reducing creasing, the compounds described in this patent still do not effectively bind the cellulosic fibers in rinse application.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide compound and compositions thereof which provide effective deposition on the fabric without being detrimental to the appearance and integrity of the fabric. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide compound or compositions having effective durable press properties.
The durable press problem in industrial field is known in the art. Processes for the industrial durable press treatment of textile fabrics were first introduced in the 1960's and have achieved widespread use since that time. These durable press treatment processes typically involve treating the fibers of the textile fabrics with cross-linking agents. Early durable press processes used formaldehyde as a cross-linking agent which, although effective, was highly odorous and undesirable to the consumer.
As a consequence, formaldehyde was replaced by reactive resins such as dimethylol urea (DMU), dimethylol ethylene urea (DMEU), and by modified ethylene urea resins, such as dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU). However, still it is known that the desired increases in the durable press performance through the use of cross-linking agents are sometimes accompanied by undesirable losses in other important fabric properties, such as tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance and fabric hand.
Further, solutions obtained from industry are not usually transposable to domestic treatments. Indeed, in industrial processes a strict control over parameters such as pH, electrolyte concentration, water hardness, temperature, etc.. is possible whereas in a domestic washing machine, such a high level of control is not possible.
Moreover, it has been found that solutions from industry do not effectively bind the cellulosic fibers in domestic rinse application.
Domestic durable press treatments require conditions that industrial treatment do not have to fulfill. Hence, for domestic durable treatments, the compounds or compositions thereof need to manifest at least one of the following properties:
i)—provide a low level of aldehyde; indeed aldehyde based cross-linker technologies are less favoured in domestic process from an environmental and safety standpoint because contrary to industry where the process is controlled, in domestic process the consumer is the only person using the product, thus enabling the possibility of misuse. Further, high levels of aldehyde tends to produce an odour which would deter the consumer from using it again. Thus, it is desired to provide durable processes for use in domestic process which are safe to the consumer and provide a good odour acceptance.
ii)—provide a low or even no tensile strength loss; again as stated above for i), the control of the process in domestic treatment is less measurable. Further, contrary to industry where the fabrics are treated once, domestic treatment involves repeated usage and thus produce a tensile strength loss. Thus, it is desired to provide durable processes for use in domestic process which provide a low or even no tensile strength loss.
iii)—be usable at low temperature; indeed in a domestic process, and in particular in a domestic rinse process, it is not practical to rely on high treatment temperatures such as those used in industrial processes, that is of above 40° C. Thus, it is also a further desire of domestic durable press to provide a better performance at these low temperatures; indeed industry usually achieves a better performance by close control of the reaction process and its various parameters involved. In domestic treatment, however, this close control cannot be achieved. Thus, the performance of the durable press process needs mostly to be achieved by use of efficient technology.
iv)—be applicable in rinse applications: in such type of application, easier control of the use of the product is achieved, thereby avoiding misuse. Thus, for domestic treatment, the technology involved in the durable press process needs preferably to be suitable for use in rinse application. and/or
vi)—not provide stiffness to fabrics. Again, as described for ii), the repeated usage that are involved in domestic treatment may also lead to stiff fabric. Accordingly, it is desired to provide durable press process which reduces such negative.
In addition to the above, industrial processes use high concentrations of cross-linking agents which is required for industrial scale treatment whilst for domestic treatment a low level is most preferred for economical reasons.
Accordingly, notwithstanding the advances in the art, there is still a need for an efficient and economical composition which provides effective domestic durable press properties on the treated fabrics.
It has now been found that the use of specific resin compounds fulfill such a need, and are particularly well suited for rinse application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a composition comprising:
i)—a fabric softening compound; and
ii)—a cross-linking resin having the property of being cationic.
In another aspect of the invention, the present invention relates to a method of treating fabric which comprises the steps of:
i)—contacting the fabrics with an epichlorohydrin adducts of polyamine resins, polyethyleneimine resins, cationic starch, polydiallyidimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof, and
ii)—curing the composition.
In a further aspect of the invention, the present invention relates to a method of treating fabric which comprises the steps of:
i)—contacting the fabrics with a resin compound or composition as defined herein, and
ii)—curing the composition using a domestic process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to compositions which provide effective durable press on treated fabrics, especially when treated in rinse application.
I—Cross-linking Resin having the Property of Being Cationic
An essential component of the invention is a cross-linking resin having the property of being cationic. By “cross-linking resin having the property of being cationic”, it is meant that the resin is at least partially positively charged. It is not however necessary that the reactive part of the molecule carries the positive charge. Indeed, polymeric resins can be based on positively charged monomers which help the deposition on the fibers. Since the cross-linking resins are cationic, i.e. positively charged, they are deposited and well retained on the negatively charged cellulosic fibers when these resins are added to the final rinse of a laundry process.
Cross-linking resins having the property of being cationic suitable for use here
Altmann Markus W.
Bernaerts An
Goossens Els
Hubesch Bruno Albert Jean
Masschelein Axel
Cook C. Brant
Hardee John
Miller Steve W.
Procter & Gamble Company
Zerby K. W.
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