EP1639179A1 - Procede de fourniture de capacite de blanchissage non aqueux - Google Patents
Procede de fourniture de capacite de blanchissage non aqueuxInfo
- Publication number
- EP1639179A1 EP1639179A1 EP04756305A EP04756305A EP1639179A1 EP 1639179 A1 EP1639179 A1 EP 1639179A1 EP 04756305 A EP04756305 A EP 04756305A EP 04756305 A EP04756305 A EP 04756305A EP 1639179 A1 EP1639179 A1 EP 1639179A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- aqueous laundering
- aqueous
- nala
- sections
- laundering apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F43/00—Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for providing non-aqueous laundering capability to the domestic user.
- a more recently proposed option as a replacement for Perc in the commercial dry cleaning field involves the use of siloxanes as the cleaning solution for "dry clean only" fabric articles (see, for example, US Patents: 5,942,007, August 24, 1999; 6,042,617 and 6,042,618, both March 28, 2000; 6,056,789, May 2, 2000; 6,059,845, May 9, 2000; and 6,063,135, May 16, 2000). It has been discovered by the present invention that further simplification of the laundry process and elimination of the reliance on a solely water based home laundry process are possible by using a lipophilic based wash medium for the laundry process.
- this process allows not only the personal cleaning of a user's dry clean only fabric articles, but also those "machine wash” articles conventionally washed in a water wash medium. Further, while the user may still opt to wash such articles separately, the present invention process allows the user the freedom to significantly simplify the laundry process by washing mixed loads of "dry clean only” and “machine wash” articles, thereby greatly reducing the presorting effort.
- Existing non-aqueous laundering apparatuses are designed for commercial dry cleaning operation, therefore, these apparatuses are too bulky to be accommodated easily into a typical domestic residence.
- SUMMARY in one aspect of the present invention, it relates to a method for providing non-aqueous laundering capability comprising: (a) providing a non-aqueous laundering apparatus; (b) installing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus; and/or (c) servicing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus.
- a method providing non-aqueous laundering capability comprising: (a) installing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus; and (b) servicing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a non-aqueous laundering apparatus for use in the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of a non-aqueous laundering apparatus for use in the present invention.
- automated home laundry process means the laundry process as practiced by the user using an automatic washing machine, preferably located within the user's residence (herein referred to as the process being conducted “in the home”), but also including public laundromats whereby the user follows essentially the same laundry process as though the automatic washing machine were present in the home.
- compositions and methods/processes of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein.
- domestic user means an individual using a non-aqueous laundering apparatus for purposes of laundering personal and/or family member and/or friends' fabric article(s).
- dry clean only fabric articles means those fabric articles readily identified by the fabric industry and consumers as unsafe for laundering by a conventional aqueous automatic home laundry process, and instead requiring special handling with a conventional non-aqueous solvent such as Perc. Again, consumers are frequently helped in this identification of fabric articles by manufacturer's tags (hereinafter referred to as "care labels") identifying the fabric article as “dry clean only” or some similar description.
- fabric article means any article that is customarily cleaned in a conventional laundry process or in a dry cleaning process. As such the term encompasses articles of clothing, linen and drapery, clothing accessories, and floor coverings.
- machine washable fabric articles means those fabric articles readily identified by the fabric industry and users as safe for laundering by a conventional aqueous automatic home laundry process.
- wash medium means the liquid (including but not limited to, fluid(s) and/or solution(s) and/or solvent(s) and/or emulsion(s)) which is used to wet the fabric articles in the wash load during the automatic home laundry process.
- An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for providing non-aqueous laundering capability comprising one or more of the following steps: a) providing a non-aqueous laundering apparatus, b) installing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus, and servicing the non- aqueous laundering apparatus.
- the method comprises two of these steps, more preferably all three steps.
- non-aqueous-laundering refers to a process of treating and/or cleaning fabric articles comprising contacting the fabric articles with a cleaning fluid comprising a lipophilic fluid and removing from the fabric articles a portion of the cleaning fluid.
- non-aqueous refers to a cleaning fluid comprising a lipophilic fluid that is substantially free of water.
- the lipophilic fluid can be used alone or in combination with adjunct materials to provide appropriate cleaning of the consumer garments, while minimizing the typical garment damage caused by traditional aqueous (water) laundering.
- the method of the present invention is directed to providing a non-aqueous laundering capability to the domestic user comprising: a) providing a non-aqueous laundering apparatus; b) installing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus; and/or c) servicing the non-aqueous laundering apparatus.
- the automatic washing machine can be a "bimodal laundry machine".
- "bimodal laundry machine” refers to a single piece of equipment that has the ability to function either as a traditional aqueous automatic washing machine, having an aqueous laundry cycle, or as a non-aqueous automatic washing machine based on either domestic or professional user input or based on an automated decision system.
- the method of the present invention is directed to attaining improved fabric cleaning in a non-aqueous laundry regimen, and includes the steps of exposing the fabric article to a lipophilic fluid and exposing the fabric article to a specific fabric care active.
- it may include the step of exposing the fabric article to a polar phase.
- the polar phase may include water, alcohol, or mixtures thereof. If the polar phase does include water, it preferably comprises at least about 0.5% water by weight of a subject fabric article(s) and at most about 10% water by weight of a subject fabric article(s).
- the lipophilic fluid may comprise a linear siloxane, a cyclic siloxane, or mixtures thereof.
- the lipophilic fluid is selected from the group consisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. Even more preferably, the lipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Most preferably, the lipophilic fluid comprises decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and is substantially free of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Due to the flash points of the aforementioned siloxanes, the method preferably occurs at less than about 80° C. B.
- An embodiment of the present invention includes the step of providing a non-aqueous laundering apparatus ("NALA").
- NALA may be provided to a domestic user. Though NALA is designed to fit into a domestic residence, this is not meant to be limiting; a NALA can also be provided to a professional or commercial user (e.g., a laundromat operator).
- the NALA may be provided by selling or renting the NALA to the subject user. When the NALA is being used by a domestic user for domestic purposes, the machine must be of sufficient dimensions to fit into the household. Thus, it is desirable that the NALA fit through standard door openings.
- the NALA is delivered in sections and assembled on site, wherein each section has dimensions that fit through standard door opening.
- the components of the NALA that can be made into separate sections include, but are not limited to, one or more detachable storage tanks for storing lipophilic fluid, cleaning materials, or mixtures thereof; a non-distillative recovery system comprising a recovery tank, one or more filters, or combinations thereof; a control system which may be a smart control system, a electro-mechanical control system, or both; an applicator; a fabric-containing chamber, an outer chamber and the drive mechanism for the chambers.
- the NALA preferably but not required to have a footprint equal to or less than the width and depth of the current footprint of the combination of an automatic washing machine and automatic clothes dryer.
- the overall dimensions of the NALA has a depth from about 68.5cm to about 137cm, wherein the higher range is sufficient to accommodate a dual mode apparatus (i.e., an apparatus that is capable of performing both the washer and the dryer functions); a width of about 76cm; and a height from about 139.7cm to about 297.4cm.
- each section of the NALA has dimensions equal to or less than the corresponding dimensions in the fully assembled NALA.
- the NALA may be delivered free of lipophilic fluid to the installation site.
- the NALA may be installed in a commercial location (e.g., a commercial dry-cleaner, self-serve laundromat, common area in an apartment building, etc.) or in a domestic location (e.g., in a domestic user's house, apartment, mobile home, etc.). Installation may involve merely delivery and unpackaging of the NALA, for NALA's that do not require an external source of lipophilic fluid and/or adjunct material (e.g., the lipophilic fluid is self-contained in the NALA, and adjunct materials are also self-contained and/or may be added directly to the NALA by the user).
- a commercial location e.g., a commercial dry-cleaner, self-serve laundromat, common area in an apartment building, etc.
- a domestic location e.g., in a domestic user's house, apartment, mobile home, etc.
- Installation may involve merely delivery and unpackaging of the NALA, for NALA's that do not require an external source of lipophilic
- installation may further include connecting the NALA to one or more of the following: a lipophilic fluid source, water source, impinging gas source, adjunct materials source, plumbing, drainage to outside the installation site, and ventilation to outside the installation site.
- a lipophilic fluid source In most cases, the NALA would be readily connected to a power source during installation, or by the user subsequent to installation.
- the NALA is delivered to the installation site without one or more of the following contained in the NALA: lipophilic fluid, impinging gas, and/or adjunct material(s).
- the installing step may further include addition of such fluid, gas and/or adjunct material(s) to the NALA at the installing site.
- Installation may further include testing of the NALA by the installing party, to confirm that the NALA is in proper working order.
- installation may include providing the user with training materials (e.g., hard copy, video, or computer file instructions) on how to use the NALA.
- training may be provided by the installer physically demonstrating to the user, how to operate the NALA.
- the aqueous laundering cycle could be used for a traditional aqueous automatic home laundry process and the non-aqueous laundry process would be used for fabric articles with a care label that instructs the consumer to use a professional drycleaner to care for the fabric article.
- the user would have the flexibility to select the best cycle for the given cleaning task and launder all fabric articles in view of the care label.
- This training comprises instruction on how to operate the non-aqueous automatic washing machine and also how to chose dryclean only fabric articles and/or machine washable fabric articles appropriate for non-aqueous / aqueous laundering. This may include, but is not limited to, instruction by the sales personnel at the point of purchase, training during installation, on-line web site training material, video training, instructions on the machine including an interactive touch panel display to guide the user through the process. D.
- servicing a Non-aqueous Laundering Apparatus includes the step of servicing a NALA. Over time, small amounts of lipophilic fluid may escape from the NALA through retention on the fabric articles cleaned in the NALA and/or mechanical parts may become worn. Additionally, the user may prefer the convenience of not having to ever add any adjunct materials to the NALA. Consequently, the servicing step may include addressing one or more of these needs. Servicing may be performed at the installation site, or may involve removal of the NALA from its installation site to a separate servicing site for servicing. In one embodiment, servicing includes checking all mechanical, electrical and/or chemical components of the NALA, and replacing and/or upgrading any such components in need of replacement/upgrade.
- servicing includes checking all sections of the NALA, repairing the sections, conducting routine maintenance of the sections, replacing the sections with new, identical sections, or with upgrades of the sections.
- the capability of upgrading sections of NALA without replacing the entire apparatus is an economically attractive feature.
- Applicators, distillation systems, storage tanks, control systems are examples of
- servicing includes replacing and/or replenishing any lipophilic fluid that may have been lost during use prior to servicing.
- servicing may include complete removal of the lipophilic fluid from the NALA and replacement with fresh lipophilic fluid.
- the lipophilic fluid is removed and cleaned (i.e., any impurities, such as sebum, it may have picked up from use in the NALA are removed) at the servicing site by the service technician, and the refreshed lipophilic fluid is returned to the NALA.
- the servicing site is also the installation site (e.g., in a user's home)
- the servicing technician may bring a portable cleaning system for such cleaning of the lipophilic fluid.
- Servicing may also include the adding and or replacement of consumable materials (such as impinging gases and or adjunct cleaning materials) into the NALA.
- servicing also include the replacing and/or rejuvenating of relatively durable materials (such as the filters).
- Servicing may further include replacing the NALA with the same model the user has been using or with an upgraded model.
- Certain embodiments of the NALA may include the ability to clean and reuse the lipophilic fluid for more than one automatic laundry process.
- a preferred means for cleaning the lipophilic fluid for multiple uses is a replaceable filter.
- Such a filter should preferably include filter materials capable of removing and collecting at least the body soils removed from the fabric articles during the automatic home laundry process. Activated charcoal, silicas, molecular sieves, and/or hydrophobically modified papers are just some optional components of such filters.
- the attachment to the NALA is preferably by means such that the user can readily replace it at regular intervals.
- servicing could also include cleaning and/or replacement of such filters by a service technician.
- Servicing may be provided on an as-needed bases. For example, a user may check the status of the consumable materials and/or the conditions of the serviceable components or be informed by the sensors in the apparatus and call a service center for service, including repairs and replacements.
- the apparatus may be a smart machine equipped with self diagnosis capability to indicate when service is needed, and may be linked to a service center such that service information can be transmitted and services called with out user intervention.
- NALA Non-aqueous Laundering Apparatus
- the NALA useful in the present process includes a chamber capable of receiving a fabric article, cleaning materials (including, e.g., lipophilic fluid) that can be added to the chamber, and a means to remove the cleaning materials from the chamber. Suitable examples are discussed in WO 01/94675.
- FIG. 1 One preferred embodiment of the NALA system 70 is shown in FIG. 1, comprises a fabric-containing chamber 1 capable of receiving a fabric article to be treated and a cleaning material(s) (not shown, however discussed hereinbelow), wherein when a fabric article to be treated is present in the fabric-containing chamber 1, a cleaning material may be introduced into the fabric-containing chamber 1.
- the NALA 70 preferably further comprises an outer chamber 2 capable of receiving the cleaning material from the fabric-containing chamber 1 that is not retained in said fabric-containing chamber 1.
- the outer chamber 2 preferably houses the fabric- containing chamber 1.
- the fabric-containing chamber 1 and the outer chamber 2 preferably are of cylindrical construction and have a horizontal access opening 58 and 59, respectively, and, as shown in FIG. 2.
- the horizontal center line of the outer chamber 2, which is preferably stationary with respect to the fabric-containing chamber 1 coincides with the axis of rotation 100 of the movable fabric-containing chamber 1 movably mounted within the outer chamber 2.
- the outer chamber 2 preferably comprises an exit port or drain 7 through which the cleaning material received by the outer chamber 2 exits the outer chamber 2.
- the fabric-containing chamber 1 is preferably rotatably secured to outer chamber 2 by means of drive shaft 49 (FIG. 2).
- the outer chamber 2 may have a door 59 having a circular shape with an outer edge, the door 59 is capable of opening and closing and may be used to load and unload fabric articles from the NALA 70.
- the fabric-containing chamber 1 may have an access opening 58 used to load and unload fabric articles from the NALA 70; preferably, which is concentrically aligned with the outer edge of the door 59 in outer chamber 2.
- the door 59 is in the closed position, preferably locked by a locking means (not shown) when the NALA 70 is in operation.
- At least one large storage tank 19 may contain the cleaning material. In another embodiment the cleaning material may also be present in one large storage tank 20.
- cleaning material from the large storage tank 19, may be mixed with other cleaning material (e.g., adjunct material), which may be stored in small storage tanks 27 and 28.
- These small storage tanks 27 and 28, preferably contain one or more cleaning materials which are intended to be applied onto the fabric article present in the fabric-containing chamber 1 of the NALA 70.
- the large storage tanks 19 and 20, and the small storage tanks 27 and 28 may optionally be detachable from the NALA 70.
- the storage tanks, 19, 20, 27 and 28, may then be recycled, or can be refilled and reattached to the apparatus.
- the storage tank, 19, 20, 27 and 28 may be replaceable or disposable, for example as a replaceable cartridge.
- the large storage tanks 19 and 20 are recyclable, permanently fixed in the NALA 70, or removable only by a trained service technician, while the small storage tanks, 27 and 28, are user-replaceable cartridges which are sold individually or as part of a kit discussed hereinbelow.
- the empty storage tanks, 19, 20, 27 and 28, are removed and replaced with identical storage tanks, 19, 20, 27 and 28, containing the desired cleaning material or storage tanks, 19, 20, 27, and 28, differing in the cleaning material contained therein, so as to provide different benefits, e.g., cleaning benefits, antistatic benefits, home waterproofing, etc.
- the storage tanks, 19, 20, 27, and 28 may be either disposed of by the user or returned for refilling by a third party, such as, a service technician, retailer, wholesaler, or a manufacturer, with the requisite amount of the desired cleaning material.
- a third party such as, a service technician, retailer, wholesaler, or a manufacturer
- only one of the large storage tanks 19 or 20 might be detachable, with the other large storage tank, 19 or 20, permanently attached to the NALA 70.
- only one of the small storage tanks 27 or 28 is be detachable, with the other small storage tank, 28 or 29, permanently attached to the NALA 70.
- Any large storage tank, 19 and 20, or small storage tank 28, and 29, permanently affixed to the NALA 70 may have a closing means (not shown), such as a re-sealable lid.
- the desired cleaning materials are delivered into the applicator 26 preferably by pumping with pump 24.
- the cleaning material stored in the large storage tanks 19 and 20 are pumped from through lines 22 and 21 respectively, first passing through valve 23, then through pump 24, then finally through line 25 to applicator 26.
- the cleaning material exits the outer chamber 2 by use of a drain 7 and then enters a recover tank 8.
- cleaning materials Prior to delivering cleaning materials into recovery tank 8, cleaning materials are filtered in filter 6.
- an air compressor (not shown) would be connected to each of the large storage tanks, 19 and 20, and small storage tanks, 27 and 28, by pressure lines.
- Other means of conveying cleaning materials may include gravity, centrifugal, diaphragm, piston, or peristaltic pumps.
- Filter 6 removes lint, fabric fibers and large particulate soil, so they don't settle on the recovery tank 8 bottom and clog downstream lines. Also, filter 6 assures reliable operation of pump 10, since pump 10 is a typically higher pressure pump which generally is of a type more easily damaged by solids.
- the NALA contains some type of control system.
- control systems include electrical systems, such as, the so-called smart control systems, as well as more traditional electro-mechanical systems. The control systems would enable the user to select the size of the load of fabric articles to be cleaned, the type of soiling, the extent of the soiling, the time for the cleaning cycle.
- the user could use pre-set cleaning and/or refreshing cycles, or the apparatus could control the length of the cycle, based on any number of ascertainable parameters. This would be especially true for electrical control systems. For example, when the collection rate of lipophilic fluid reaches a steady rate the apparatus could turn its self off after a fixed period of time, or initiate another process for the lipophilic fluid. In the case of electrical control systems, one option is to make the control device a so- called "smart device".
- Other examples of NALA useful in the present process include the following: While an apparatus having the various components as defined for the immersive commercial dry cleaning process as described in US Patent 6,059,845, issued May 9, 2000, and US Patent 6,063,135, issued May 16, 2000, if modified for residential size and user maintenance, could be used to practice the present invention process, an immersive process for the present process is not preferred.
- Reasons include the constraints (versus the commercial dry cleaner size and operation taught in these .patents) associated with supplying, storing and cleaning larger volumes of lipophilic fluids at the laundering site; particularly where the laundering site is in the home.
- apparatus for providing lower volume cleaning processes such as those utilizing a uniform spray process that completely wets the fabric articles with the lower volumes of wash medium as described herein before are highly preferred.
- modifications of conventional low water wash appliances to deliver low levels of lipophilic fluid containing wash medium rather than a water wash medium should be considered; such conventional water wash appliances are described for example in US Patents: 4,489,574; 4,489,455; 5,191,669; 5,191,668; 5,233,718; and 5,671,494.
- a more preferred automatic washing machine useful for such low volume cleaning is described in detail in US patent application serial no. 60/209468 filed June 5, 2000.
- Further preferred are laundering apparatus that guarantee homogeneous coverage of the fabric articles with the lipophilic fluid containing wash medium by intermittent spin and spray followed by random tumbling until all the wash medium has been sprayed.
- Such apparatus which reuse the lipophilic fluid-containing wash medium via an immediate reuse/recycling action, for example by passing the wash medium over a particle removal filter after extraction from the fabric articles and then immediately spraying it back onto the fabric articles.
- Further preferred laundering apparatus for use in the present process are designed to also dry the fabric articles in the same apparatus.
- the NALA can be a "bimodal laundry machine".
- "bimodal laundry machine” refers to a single piece of equipment that has the ability to function either as a traditional aqueous automatic washing machine, having an aqueous laundry cycle, or as a non-aqueous automatic washing machine based on either domestic or professional user input or based on an automated decision system.
- Lipophilic Fluid as used herein means any liquid or mixture of liquid that is immiscible with water at up to 20% by weight of water.
- a suitable lipophilic fluid can be fully liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, can be an easily melted solid, e.g., one that becomes liquid at temperatures in the range from about 0°C to about 60°C, or can comprise a mixture of liquid and vapor phases at ambient temperatures and pressures, e.g., at 25°C and 1 arm. pressure. It is preferred that the lipophilic fluid herein be inflammable or, have relatively high flash points and/or low VOC characteristics, these terms having conventional meanings as used in the dry cleaning industry, to equal or, preferably, exceed the characteristics of known conventional dry cleaning fluids.
- Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic fluid materials include siloxanes, other silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, glycerine derivatives such as glycerine ethers, perfluorinated amines, perfluorinated and hydrofluoroether solvents, low-volatility nonfluorinated organic solvents, diol solvents, other environmentally-friendly solvents and mixtures thereof.
- siloxane as used herein means silicone fluids that are non-polar and insoluble in water or lower alcohols.
- Linear siloxanes (see for example US Patents 5,443,747, and 5,977,040) and cyclic siloxanes are useful herein, including the cyclic siloxanes selected from the group consisting of octamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane (tetramer), dodecamethyl-cyclohexasiloxane (hexamer), and preferably decamethyl-cyclopentasiloxane (pentamer, commonly referred to as "D5").
- a preferred siloxane comprises more than about 50% cyclic siloxane pentamer, more preferably more than about 75% cyclic siloxane pentamer, most preferably at least about 90%.
- the lipophilic fluid can include any fraction of dry-cleaning solvents, especially newer types including fluorinated solvents, or perfluorinated amines. Some perfluorinated amines such as perfluorotributylamines, while unsuitable for use as lipophilic fluid, may be present as one of many possible adjuncts present in the lipophilic fluid-containing composition.
- lipophilic fluids include, but are not limited to, diol solvent systems e.g., higher diols such as C 6 or C 8 or higher diols, organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
- diol solvent systems e.g., higher diols such as C 6 or C 8 or higher diols
- organosilicone solvents including both cyclic and acyclic types, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of low volatility non-fluorinated organic solvents include for example OLEAN ® and other polyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatile biodegradable mid- chain branched petroleum fractions.
- glycol ethers include propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol t-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether.
- Non-limiting examples of other silicone solvents in addition to the siloxanes, are well known in the literature, see, for example, Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, and are available from a number of commercial sources, including GE Silicones, Toshiba Silicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning.
- one suitable silicone solvent is SF-1528 available from GE Silicones.
- Non-limiting examples of glycerine derivative solvents include materials having the following structure:
- R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are each independently selected from: H; branched or linear, substituted or unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 30 alkyl, C 2 -C 30 alkenyl, C ⁇ -C 30 alkoxycarbonyl, C 3 -C 3 o alkyleneoxyalkyl, Q- C 30 acyloxy, C 7 -C 30 alkylenearyl; C 4 -C 30 cycloalkyl; C 6 -C 30 aryl; and mixtures thereof.
- Two or more of R , R and R together can form a C 3 -C 8 aromatic or non-aromatic, heterocyclic or non- - heterocyclic ring.
- Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerine derivative solvents include 2,3-bis(l,l- dimethylethoxy)-l-propanol; 2,3-dimethoxy-l-propanol; 3-methoxy-2-cyclopentoxy-l-propanol; 3-methoxy-l-cyclopentoxy-2-propanol; carbonic acid (2-hydroxy-l-methoxymethyl)ethyl ester methyl ester; glycerol carbonate and mixtures thereof.
- Non-limiting examples of other environmentally-friendly solvents include lipophilic fluids that have an ozone formation potential of from about 0 to about 0.31, lipophilic fluids that have a vapor pressure of from about 0 to about 0.1 mm Hg, and/or lipophilic fluids that have a vapor pressure of greater than 0.1 mm Hg, but have an ozone formation potential of from about 0 to about 0.31.
- Non-limiting examples of such lipophilic fluids that have not previously been described above include carbonate solvents (i.e., methyl carbonates, ethyl carbonates, ethylene carbonates, propylene carbonates, glycerine carbonates) and/or succinate solvents (i.e., dimethyl succinates).
- Ozone Reactivity is a measure of a VOC's ability to form ozone in the atmosphere. It is measured as grams of ozone formed per gram of volatile organics. A methodology to determine ozone reactivity is discussed further in W. P. L. Carter, "Development of Ozone Reactivity Scales of Volatile Organic Compounds", Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 44, Pages 881-899, 1994. "Vapor Pressure" as used can be measured by techniques defined in Method 310 of the California Air Resources Board.
- the lipophilic fluid comprises more than 50% by weight of the lipophilic fluid of cyclopentasiloxanes, ("D5") and/or linear analogs having approximately similar volatility, and optionally complemented by other silicone solvents.
- D5 cyclopentasiloxanes
- the lipophilic fluid comprises more than 50% by weight of the lipophilic fluid of cyclopentasiloxanes, ("D5") and/or linear analogs having approximately similar volatility, and optionally complemented by other silicone solvents.
- D5 cyclopentasiloxanes
- linear analogs having approximately similar volatility
- other silicone solvents optionally complemented by other silicone solvents.
- Adjunct Materials It is also envisioned that adjuncts for cleaning and/or treating the fabric articles according to the desires of the user may be included in the process of non-aqueous laundering.
- the NALA therefore preferably includes receptacles for receiving and/or dispensing such adjuncts into the non-aqueous laundering process at the desired time, either with the wash
- Suitable adjunct materials include, but are not limited to, abrasion inhibition agents, abrasives, alkalinity sources, antibacterial agents, anti-crocking agents, anti-fade agents, antimicrobial agents, anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, antistatic agent, anti-tarnishing agents, bleach activators, bleach boosters, bleach catalysts, bleaches, brighteners, builders, chelants, colorants, color care agents, composition coloring agents, composition malodor control agents, corrosion inhibitors, crystal growth inhibitors, diamines or polyamines and/or their alkoxylates, divalent or trivalent ions, durable press agents, dye abrasion inhibitors, dye fixatives, electrolytes, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, fabric softening agents, finishing aids, heavy metal ion sequestrants, hydrotropes, lime soap dispersants, metal ion salts, odor control agents, odor neutralizers, optical brighteners, perfumes, pH modifiers, photobleaches, polar solvents, process
- adjunct materials can be applied either separately or as a result of being contained within the polar phase, the lipophilic fluid, and/or the specific fabric care active.
- the fabric articles may also be exposed to an emulsifier and/or a surfactant either separately or as a result of being contained within the polar phase, the lipophilic fluid, and/or the bleach system.
- the NALA contacts fabric articles with an impinging gas at any time during cleaning of the fabric articles in the NALA, as set forth in US patent application publication no. 2002/0054202A1A1, published May 4, 2001; and US patent application publication no. 2002/0133885A1, published September 26, 2002. It is desirable that the fabric articles are contacted by an impinging gas at least prior to applying the lipophilic fluid.
- the impinging gas facilitates the removal particulate soils from the fabric articles. Particulate soils can be successfully removed using gas flow.
- Particulate soils include any soil that is comprised of discrete particles.
- Nonlimiting examples of such particulate soils include clay, dust, dried mud, sand, cat fur, skin flakes or scales, dander, dandruff, hair from people or pets, grass seeds, pollen, burrs, and/or similar animal, mineral or vegetable matter which is insoluble in water.
- the impinging gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, argon, helium, neon, xenon, and mixtures thereof; more preferably air, nitrogen, ozone, oxygen, argon, helium, and mixtures thereof; even more preferably still air, ozone, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof.
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Abstract
La présente invention a trait à un procédé pour la fourniture de capacité de blanchissage non aqueux comprenant : a) la fourniture d'un appareil de blanchissage non aqueux (30) ; b) l'installation de l'appareil de blanchissage non aqueux (70) ; et/ou c) l'entretien de l'appareil de blanchissage non aqueux (70).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US48295103P | 2003-06-27 | 2003-06-27 | |
US10/738,551 US6898951B2 (en) | 2000-06-05 | 2003-12-17 | Washing apparatus |
PCT/US2004/020792 WO2005003430A1 (fr) | 2003-06-27 | 2004-06-28 | Procede de fourniture de capacite de blanchissage non aqueux |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1639179A1 true EP1639179A1 (fr) | 2006-03-29 |
Family
ID=33567665
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04756305A Withdrawn EP1639179A1 (fr) | 2003-06-27 | 2004-06-28 | Procede de fourniture de capacite de blanchissage non aqueux |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1639179A1 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP2007521078A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2005003430A1 (fr) |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3815387A (en) * | 1972-04-03 | 1974-06-11 | Mbk Int Ltd | Cleaning machine |
-
2004
- 2004-06-28 WO PCT/US2004/020792 patent/WO2005003430A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-06-28 JP JP2006517754A patent/JP2007521078A/ja not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-06-28 EP EP04756305A patent/EP1639179A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2005003430A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2005003430A1 (fr) | 2005-01-13 |
JP2007521078A (ja) | 2007-08-02 |
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