Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine

a washing machine and delicate technology, applied in the direction of dry cleaning apparatus, other washing machines, textiles and paper, etc., can solve the problems of inconvenient and expensive, inconvenient cleaning process, and exposure of delicate and often expensive garments to dry cleaning processes of inconsistent quality and garment care, and achieve the effect of convenient cleaning process and less cos

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-31
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
View PDF64 Cites 2 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention solves the long-standing need for an inexpensive and convenient process of cleaning dry-clean only and other delicate garments in an aqueous laundering process, such as a conventional home washing machine. Processes (or systems) and kits for performing these processes have been found by which delicate and dry-clean only garments can b...

Problems solved by technology

In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency classified perchloroethylene as a “probable human carcinogen.” Perchloroethylene's potential carcinogenic effects are not limited solely to industrial workers or those who operate perchloroethylene-based dry clean processes: a recent study of commercial dry cleaners in New York revealed that many of these cleaners used such high amounts of perchloroethylene to clean garments, that customers who wore freshly dry-cleaned garments could inhale enough perchloroethylene to incur a slightly increased risk of cancer.
Not only is this both inconvenient and expensive, but it can expose delicate and often expensive garments to dry-cleaning processes of inconsistent quality and garment care.
Many consumers who have taken their goods to a commercial dry-cleaner have reported them being damaged either by excessive shrinking, discoloration or tearing.
The use of perchloroethylene in commercial dry-cleaning establishments also tends to leave a “chemical” smell on clothing that consumers find unsatisfactory.
Moreover, while solvent-based dry cleaning processes are quite effective for removing oily soils and stains, they are not optimal for removing particulates such as clay soils, and m...

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine
  • Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine
  • Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

process embodiments

[0235] The use of the devices, compositions and processes of this invention are described in more detail hereinafter. Such disclosure is by way of illustration and not limitation of the invention herein.

[0236] Although not necessary or essential to the present invention, it is preferable to use a pretreatment procedure to improve the effectiveness of removing stains from a stained area of the garment. This pretreatment procedure comprises pouring a pretreatment composition to the stained area and then distributing and spreading the pretreatment composition over the stained area with the wash pretreatment applicator by applying a gentle brushing motion to distribute the pretreatment composition around the stained area of the garment. The pretreatment composition and loosened soil is then optionally rinsed off the treated area with water.

[0237] In more detail, the pretreatment process herein can be conducted in the following manner. Modifications of the process can be practiced with...

example i

[0253] The following provides non-limiting examples of a (1) preferred wash pretreatment composition to be used in the pretreatment process; and (2) a washing / conditioning composition to be added during the wash cycle. It should be understood that all of the amounts are approximate (or “about”) the amounts listed. It should also be understood that the components are mixed together to form the compositions. The compositions are used in a manner described after the detailed formulations.

Wash Pretreatment CompositionComponentWeight %Nonionic Surfactant 1-10%Anionic Surfactant10-30%Amine Cosurfactant0-3%Citric Acid1-4%Ethanol1-3%Monoethanol amine0.5-7%  Trimethyl pentanediol0.5-5%  (TMPD)Propanediol 1-10%Tolulene Sulfonate1-5%NaOHto adjust pHFabric Care Agents1-5%Enzymes0.1-2%  Water and perfumeBalance

[0254]

Washing / Conditioning CompositionComponentWeight %Anionic Surfactant110-25%Nonionic Surfactant21-6%Lauryl trimethyl ammonium 1.5-12.5%chlorideTrimethyl pentane diol0.5-5%  (TMPD)Cit...

process example

[0255] Step 1. One or more garments to be cleaned and refreshed are selected. Stains on a garment from sources such as ink, lipstick, salad dressing, collar soil and other similar sources are then identified and selected for pretreatment. For pretreatment, localized stained areas of the garment are situated over a paper towel and are treated by directly applying about 0.5 to 5 mls (depending on the size of the stain) of the wash pretreatment product of Example I, which is gently worked into the garment using the wash pretreatment applicator. Excess liquid product is then washed off the stain with running cold tap water.

[0256] Step 2. The flexible wrap container is laid flat on an even surface such as a table or clothes dryer. A first garment such as a jacket is placed on the wrap. The sleeves and other extensions of the garment should be folded-in if necessary and none of the garment may lie outside the perimeter of the wrap. After the first garment has been laid on the wrap, the w...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A product and process for laundering delicate or dry-clean only garments in a washing machine, such as a conventional home washing machine. The process may utilize a garment container, such as a flexible wrap to protect the garments. The process also includes at least one cleaning composition specially formulated for delicate garments. The cleaning composition(s) can be in a number of suitable forms, and can be introduced into the process in a number of different manners. The products used in the process may be provided in the form of a kit. The kit may also include a pretreatment applicator.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 107,586, filed Mar. 27, 2002; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 648,219, filed Aug. 25, 2000; which is a continuation-in-part of PCT application PCT / US00 / 27005, filed Sep. 29, 2000; which is a continuation-in-part of PCT applications PCT / US99 / 24937 and PCT / US99 / 24938, both filed Oct. 22, 1999; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 105,539, filed Oct. 24, 1998; and 60 / 157,082 and 60 / 157,399, both filed Oct. 1, 1999.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to products and processes for laundering delicate or dry-clean only garments in a washing machine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] By definition, the term “dry cleaning” has been used to describe processes for cleaning textiles using non-aqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old art with solvent cleaning first being recorded in the United Kingdom ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): D06F39/00
CPCD06F43/00
Inventor BARNABAS, FREDDY ARTHURCREEDON, MICHAEL TIMOTHYCURRY, JOHN D.DOTY, JACK AUSTINHORTEL, THOMAS CHARLESMAERTEN, INGRID ROSE-MARIENICKS, YANA MILLIGANOKAMOTO, MITSUYOSAKKAB, NABIL YAQUBSCHROEDER, JOHN G.SIKLOSI, MICHAEL PETERTOLLENS, FERNADO RAYWAHL, ERROL HOFFMANWERNICKE, TODD MICHAEL
Owner THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap