Colour-catching sheets with detergent properties

Abstract

A multilayer colour-catching sheet also having detergent properties made of woven or non- woven fabric on which two layers of detergent are superimposed, wherein the fibre of the sheet is treated with a polymeric cationic colour sequestrant and the two layers of detergent are one comprising a surfactant-based detergent mixture and the other comprising an enzymatic mixture.

Description

[0001] COLOUR-CATCHING SHEETS WITH DETERGENT PROPERTIES

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a colour-catching sheet which also has detergent properties for use in washing clothes, while at the same time enabling any traces of dyes dissolved in water to be removed so that they are not deposited on the clothes.

[0004] In household washing, the problem of colour stains settling on garments is well known. The cause is the migration of traces of dyes from the garments to the washing water and their subsequent absorption onto differently coloured garments.

[0005] Although the problem can be solved by the simple precaution of avoiding washing garments of different colours at the same time, this is not always possible and it is also very common to introduce a coloured garment “by mistake” into the clothes to be washed.

[0006] In addition, the need to wash white garments separately from coloured garments and also light-coloured garments from dark-coloured garments increases the number of washes, resulting in higher water and energy consumption.

[0007] To overcome this problem, the use of “sheets”, i.e. textile, non-woven fabric or cellulosic articles treated with dye-sequestering agents (so-called colour-catching sheets), has become widespread in recent years.

[0008] Although these “sheets” solve the problem of colour traces, their use requires the separate addition of washing detergent.

[0009] It would therefore be very useful to be able to use a single product that can effectively wash clothes and at the same time prevent traces of dyes from being deposited on the clothes themselves, staining them.

[0010] However, several technical problems, including possible incompatibility and / or interference between the detergent and colour-catching components, must be overcome in order to maintain high detergent and colour-catching efficacy.

[0011] Known and commercially available solutions that solve the above-mentioned problem2 RACHELI

[0012] include the multilayer tablet described in US11674112 (marketed on the Chinese market and available on the manufacturer’s website www. gzj oy son, cn)

[0013] This tablet is a dual-layer tablet that includes a colour-absorbing fibre and a solid detergent attached to the colour-absorbing fibre. The solid detergent includes 8-30% polyvinyl alcohol, 10-40% surfactant, 0.5-5% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 1-5% glycerine, 0.5-5% water softener, 0.1-1% plant essence, 14-79.9% deionised water. The surfactant is a mixture of anionic surfactants (sodium coco-sulphate and sodium alpha-olefin sulphonate) and nonionic surfactants (alkyl glycoside, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether, polyoxyethylene isomeric alcohol ether and ethoxy methyl fatty acid ester) and may also contain a bioenzyme. The tablet is therefore effective simultaneously as a detergent and as a colour catcher.

[0014] However, this tablet is not an optimal solution, mainly because the tablet’s cleansing efficacy is low. In addition, a quaternary ammonium salt is used for the preparation of the colour-absorbing fibre, so only cellulosic fibres can be used.

[0015] We have now found a product that can act effectively both as a detergent and as a colour sequestrant that are dispersed in the washing water, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] The machine washing product according to the invention comprises a sheet made of woven or non-woven fabric on which two layers of detergent are superimposed, wherein the fibre of the sheet is treated with a polymeric cationic colour sequestrant and the two layers of detergent are one comprising a surfactant-based detergent mixture and the other comprising an enzymatic mixture.

[0017] The sheet according to the invention is thus a multilayer sheet.

[0018] Once the sheet is placed in the washing machine, the layers of detergent dissolve to wash the laundry and the sheet absorbs the colours dispersed in the washing water.

[0019] The sheet can be made of natural and / or synthetic fabric or natural and / or synthetic nonwoven fabric. Preferably the sheet is made of a non-woven fabric, more preferably a nonwoven fabric of cellulosic fibres of artificial / natural origin (cellulose, viscose, bamboo viscose, cotton, wool, etc.) with the possibility of blending with synthetic fibres.

[0020] Non-woven fabrics that can be conveniently used are: needlepunched, spunlace,3 RACHELI

[0021] thermobonded, airlaid, chemicalbonded or paper, where these terms indicate both the type of non-woven fabric and the technique used to obtain it, and are all well known in the art.

[0022] The fibres preferably used to obtain these non-woven fabrics are polyester fibres (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactate (PLA), polyethylene sulphonate (PES), acrylic polymers, regenerated cellulose, e.g. lyocell® (regenerated cellulose fibre obtained by dissolving and spinning in an organic solvent) or tencell®, cotton, viscose or blends thereof. Viscose is preferably used, especially viscose from coniferous trees and bamboo viscose, or cotton.

[0023] The size of the sheet is not critical and can be chosen according to the amount of detergent and colour sequestrant associated with it.

[0024] Preferably for practical reasons of use, the size of the sheet varies from 220 cm2to 350 cm2. The fibre of the sheet is treated with a polymeric cationic colour sequestrant.

[0025] Examples of suitable polymeric cationic colour sequestrants are: (a) C16-C18 alkyl chains reacted with quatemized dimethyl sulphate, (b) quaternary ammonium compounds reacted with chlorinated aromatics with C16-C18 alkyl grafts, and (c) polyacrylic polymers reacted with partially or fully substituted amines.

[0026] The characteristic feature of the colour sequestering agent used in the present invention is that it attaches to the fibre of the sheet with covalent bonds.

[0027] This makes it suitable for use with all types of fibres mentioned here and not just cellulosic fibres. Furthermore, this minimises the possibility of dispersion of the sequestering agent in the washing water. In fact, if the colour sequestering agent comes off the sheet, it may contribute to (rather than preventing) staining the clothes being washed.

[0028] The two layers of detergent are one consisting of a surfactant-based detergent mixture and the other consisting of an enzyme mixture.

[0029] Specifically, the surfactant-based detergent mixture contains linear and / or branched polymers of alcohols derived from fatty acids with chain between 9 and 20 carbon atoms and ethoxylation degree between 3 and 50 moles and surfactants derived from sulphonated and salified fatty acids and linear and / or branched alcohols with chain between 10 and 20 atoms and ethoxylation degree between 20 and 100 moles.4 RACHELI

[0030] Specific enzymes for the different stains are present in the enzyme mixture in varying proportions.

[0031] The enzyme mixture consists of 3-6 enzymes, preferably at least 5 enzymes, selected from alpha amylase, beta gluconase, lipase, manannase, protease, pectinase and catalase.

[0032] Both the surfactant-based detergent mixture and the enzyme mixture preferably contain perfumed essences.

[0033] All of the sequestrants and detergents used for the sheet covered by the present invention are substances well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0034] The process for preparing the sheet covered by the present invention can be carried out as follows.

[0035] Step 1:

[0036] preparation of the chemical recipe (by dosing the water, adding the cationising agent (10-50%) and the dispersant (5-40%) in the correct percentage. It is brought to volume with water and then the pH is corrected to achieve an alkaline environment pH 9-13)

[0037] the fabric or non-woven base is brought into contact with said chemical recipe through an impregnation / coating process

[0038] - it is then placed in a polymerisation oven at a temperature between 110 and 160°C

[0039] In this step, the fibre is cationised and can take place in several steps.

[0040] Step 2:

[0041] treatment of the non-woven fabric by a printing / coating process or impregnation with a mixture of cationisers / dispersants (sequestrants).

[0042] In this step, the detergent mixture is deposited and then the enzyme + perfume mixture (another 1 / 2 steps).

[0043] In the process described above, 50-200 g / m2of chemical recipe is applied to the woven or non-woven fabric base.5 RACHELI

[0044] The working speed varies from 15 to 70 m / min.

[0045] At the end of the process, the woven or non-woven base is cut into sheets weighing approximately 5-6 g with the following composition (by weight):

[0046] colour-catching woven or non-woven fabric 37%

[0047] surfactant-based detergent mixture 54%

[0048] enzymatic mixture 9%

[0049] The present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by the following examples, which, however, should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0050] Description of the figures

[0051] Fig. 1 - certified sheet CFT-SM-04 All Purpose Monitor used for washing performance evaluation. The sequence of the stains is as follows: CS-103 red wine; CS-12 black currant bleaching; C-BC-03 tea bleaching / temperature; C-BC-02 coffee bleaching; CN-llw3x white cotton; CS-28 rice starch amylase; CS-26 maize starch amylase; CS-06 amylase seasoning; CS-73 mannanase locust bean gum; CS-54 cellulase oatmeal / chocolate CS-38 egg pigment protease; CS-01 blood protease; C-05 blood / milk / ink protease; CS-08 grass stain removal; CS-02 cocoa stain removal; C-10 oil pigment / general milk; C-02 olive oil / soot particle / fat; CS-132 Bey extra discr.; CS-17 make-up particle; CS-216 lipstick grease / particle.

[0052] Fig. 2 - washing performance of the sheet of the invention with respect to the prior art. Fig. 3 - grey scale used to assess washing performance.

[0053] Fig. 4 - direct comparison of stains in the washing performance of Fig. 2.

[0054] Examples

[0055] Preparing a sheet according to the invention

[0056] The sheet was prepared as follows.

[0057] impregnation / printing / coating of the non-woven fabric with sequestering agents (cationising or dispersing agents), as indicated in the description of Step 1 impregnation / printing / spreading of the non-woven fabric with the detergent and enzyme mixture, as described in Step 2

[0058] cutting and wrapping of the sheets.6 RACHELI

[0059] Evaluation of washing performance

[0060] A colour-catching detergent sheet according to the present invention and a colour-catching detergent tablet according to US 11674112 (prior art) were analysed.

[0061] The evaluation was carried out using the CFT-SM-04 All Purpose Monitor certified stain sheet shown in Fig. 1. The white sample in the first row on the right is used to check for any colour discharge during the washing cycle.

[0062] The evaluation of residual stains after the washing cycle refers to the grey scale according to UNI EN ISO 105 A02.

[0063] This grey scale defines the colour variation in different tests such as colour resistance to washing or sweat. Differences between each pair of tones indicate a value between 1= great variation (i.e. excellent washing performance) and 5= no variation (i.e. poor washing performance).

[0064] Washing cycle: Cold cycle (30°C) and spin at 1000 rpm with 2 kg white cotton fabric and certified stain sheet (one per washing cycle).

[0065] After the washing cycle, the certified stain sheets were dried on a horizontal surface for 24 hours.

[0066] The evaluation was carried out after drying.

[0067] The results are shown in Fig. 2 while Fig. 3 shows the grey scale used to evaluate the washing performance with the certified stain sheets.

[0068] The grey scale values are as follows:

[0069] 1 excellent washing performance

[0070] 1 / 2 very good washing performance

[0071] 2 good washing performance

[0072] 2 / 3 average washing performance

[0073] 3 sufficient washing performance

[0074] 3 / 4 low washing performance

[0075] 4 very low washing performance

[0076] 4 / 5 poor washing performance7 RACHELI

[0077] 5 very poor washing performance

[0078] Fig. 4 (A-E) shows the direct comparison between the stains, left to right sheet according to the invention, prior art tablet and reference material.

[0079] The washing performance values for each stain in the standard stain sheet after washing with the sheet of the invention are provided in the following table (each box corresponds to the stain in the stain sheet)

[0080]

[0081] Average value: 1.87 (optimum washing performance)

[0082] The washing performance values for each stain in the standard stain sheet after washing with the tablet of the prior art are provided in the following table (each box corresponds to the stain in the stain sheet).

[0083]

[0084] Average value: 2.76 (average washing performance)

[0085] Evaluation of colour-catching performance

[0086] A colour-catching detergent sheet according to the present invention and a colour-catching detergent tablet according to US 11674112 (prior art) were analysed.

[0087] Conditions of the test:

[0088] Washing cycle: 65 min cold cycle (40°C), no detergent, spin cycle 600 rpm

[0089] Basket load: 1.0 kg

[0090] Acceptors: 100% cotton and 100% polyamide (15 cm * 20 cm)

[0091] Donor fabric: (10±l g per test)

[0092] Direct black 22 - cotton8 RACHELI

[0093] Direct orange 39 - cotton

[0094] Direct red 83.1 - cotton

[0095] Acid blue 113 - polyamide

[0096] Pieces of acceptor (cotton and polyamide) measuring approximately 15*20 cm were cut by hand.

[0097] They were then subjected to a washing cycle at 40°C without detergent for each donor fabric. The donors were added to each washing cycle in the same amount (10±l g per test).

[0098] After the washing cycle, the fabrics were dried on a horizontal surface for 24 hours.

[0099] The evaluation was carried out after drying.

[0100] To maintain impartiality in the evaluation, the samples were analysed by two different technicians.

[0101] The colour-catching performance was assessed using a grey scale with the following values:

[0102] 1-1.5 excellent colour-catching performance

[0103] 1.6-2 good colour-catching performance

[0104] 2.1-3 average colour-catching performance

[0105] >3.1 no or poor colour-catching performance

[0106] The values obtained from the tests are shown in the following tables.

[0107] Sheet of the invention

[0108]

[0109] Average value: 1.19

[0110] Tablet of the prior art

[0111]

Claims

CLAIMS1) A multilayer woven or non-woven textile sheet on which two layers of detergent are superimposed, characterised in that the fibre of the sheet is treated with a polymeric cationic colour sequestrant and the two layers of detergent are one comprising a surfactant-based detergent mixture and the other comprising an enzymatic mixture.2) The sheet according to claim 1 wherein the textile is natural and / or synthetic and the non woven is natural and / or synthetic.3) The sheet according to claim 2 made of non-woven fabric, preferably made of nonwoven fabric of cellulosic fibres of artificial / natural origin possibly blended with synthetic fibres.4) The sheet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the polymeric cationic colour sequestrant is chosen from: (a) C16-C18 alkyl chains reacted with quatemized dimethyl sulphate, (b) quaternary ammonium compounds reacted with chlorinated aromatics with C16-C18 alkyl grafts, and (c) polyacrylic polymers reacted with partially or fully substituted amines.5) The sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant-based detergent mixture contains linear and / or branched polymers of alcohols derived from fatty acids with chain between 9 and 20 carbon atoms and ethoxylation degree between 3 and 50 moles and surfactants derived from sulphonated and salified fatty acids and linear and / or branched alcohols with chain between 10 and 20 atoms and ethoxylation degree between 20 and 100 moles.6) The sheet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the enzymatic mixture comprises 3-6 enzymes, preferably at least 5 enzymes, chosen from alpha amylase, beta gluconase, lipase, manannase, protease, pectinase and catalase.7) The sheet according to any one of the preceding claims having a weight of about 5-6 g and having the following composition (by weight)colour-catching woven or non-woven fabric 37%surfactant-based detergent mixture 54%enzymatic mixture 9%10 RACHELI8) A procedure for preparing the sheet according to any of the preceding claims comprising the following steps:Step 1:preparation of the chemical recipe by dosing the water, adding the cationising agent (10-50%) and the dispersant (5-40%), bringing to volume with water and then correcting the pH to 9-13the woven or non-woven base is brought into contact with said chemical recipe through an impregnation / coating processit is then placed in a polymerisation oven at a temperature between 110 and 160°CStep 2:treatment of the nonwoven by a printing / coating process or impregnation with the sequestrant mixture.

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