GB2333302A - Solutions for steam ironing or pressing - Google Patents

Abstract

A solution for use in a steam iron or press for treating fabrics consists of demineralised water and additives including a water-soluble volatile fragrance, a water - soluble dispersal agent which may be a non-ionic surfactant, and a water-soluble preservative which may be an antimicrobial agent.

Description

SOLUTIONS FOR STEAM IRONING This invention concerns solutions for use in steam irons and presses for ironing and pressing fabrics in order to remove wrinkles and unwanted creases.

GB 2304740 discloses a method of treating laundry in which a fragrance, typically an after-shave, is applied to the laundry via a steam iron.

WO 95/06154 discloses an additive to be added to water, and an aqueous solution of this additive, for use in a steam iron. The additive includes propylene glycol and glycerine and, optionally, a fragrance, and is intended to improve the glide characteristics of the steam iron when ironing and thereby ease the task of ironing.

However, problems still arise when ironing fabrics with a steam iron, using an aqueous solution, because the amount of heat required to produce rapid vaporisation of the solution also heats the sole plate of the iron to a temperature which may be only slightly below a temperature which is detrimental to certain fabrics. As a result any additive which raises the boiling point of the solution above that of water, will either reduce the rate at which steam is produced or will increase the amount of heating required and thus the sole plate temperature thereby increasing the risk of damaging the fabric. Further, under certain circumstances steam irons "splutter" or emit a mixture of steam and water droplets, and high boiling point additives can increase the tendency of some irons to splutter. The additive disclosed in WO/06154 is such an additive as the propylene glycol and glycerine increase the density of the solution and thereby raise its boiling point, causing the problems described.

Spluttering and other malfunctions and contaminants of the water can cause feint markings or slight discolouration to appear on some fabrics, e.g. cause spots and water marks to appear. Uncertainties can arise in the user's mind if some additives in a general category, e.g. after-shave, produce such markings whilst others do not.

Manufacturers sometimes alter the formulations for aftershaves, e.g. substitute one ingredient for another, so that a satisfactory tried and tested aftershave additive can become unsatisfactory without notice or indication.

Furthermore, all laundry products, now need to conform to regulations concerning their toxicity, irritation, and other harmful-to-health characteristics, and as the additives to the solution will be absorbed by the ironed fabrics which may be in the form of garments, such regulations apply thereto thus posing further problems to the maker of such additives/solutions for improving the glide characteristics of steam irons.

In order to enable said problems to be reduced or avoided the present invention provides a solution for use in a steam iron or press for ironing or pressing of fabrics, which consists essentially of demineralised water and additives which include a water soluble volatile fragrance, characterised in that the additives also include: - (a) a water soluble dispersal agent (b) a water soluble preservative.

The solution is preferably formulated to boil within + 2"C of the temperature at which water boils under the same conditions.

The solution is preferably formulated to not leave any solid residue in a receptacle when boiled dry.

The dispersal agent is preferably a non-ionic surfactant.

The preservative is preferably an antimicrobial agent.

A preferred formulation is (the percentages specified being by weight) : (a) non-ionic surfactant 0.1% to 10%, (b) fragrance 0.1% to 2%, (c) anti-microbial agent 0.02% to 0.3% balance to 100% demineralised water.

The invention will be described further, by way of an example of a specific effective formulation which is included for illustrative purposes and is not intended as being limiting.

The solution of this example comprises by weight: (a) a non-ionic surfactant, e.g. "Polysorbate 20" (a trade mark) obtainable under the name "Crillet 1" from Croda Oleochemicals, U.K., 1.725%, (b) a fragrance, e.g. any of the fragrances sold by Phoenix Fragrances Ltd under the description of Fresh, Citrus, Floral, Herbal and Woody; or an equivalent fragrance of similar physical and chemical properties 1.275%, (c) a preservative such as "Dowicil 200" (a trade mark) obtainable from the Dow Chemical Company, U.S.A., or another anti-microbial agent of equivalent physical and chemical properties 0.20%, (d) demineralised water, e.g. distilled water, 96.80g.

The surfactant "Polysorbate 20" is a non-ionic substance with emulsifying, solubilising and wetting properties. It acts as a surface active agent, effecting wetting of the fibres of the material being ironed. It also performs the role of dispersing the fragrance (an hydrophobic mixture) in the water phase (an hydrophilic mixture).

The fragrance is a mixture of synthetic aroma chemicals comprising aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, lactones, esters, acetals and ethers and vegetable extracts (essential oils) recovered from plant material by steam distillation.

The physical characteristics of the fragrance are (1) Clarity: clear to hazy (2) Viscosity: mobile to viscous (3) Colour: water white to yellow (4) Density: 0.800-1.500 @ 20"C (5) Refractive index: 1.3-1.6 @ 20"C (6) Odour: floral, woody, citrus herbal, fruity and green and permutations of these notes.

The preservative "Dowicil 200" is commonly used in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is highly effective at low concentrations and is effective against bacteria, yeasts and moulds. It is not inactivated by non-ionic substances and it is highly soluble in water.

This solution has been found to be non-corrosive to the materials commonly employed in the steam generating parts of steam irons, substantially non-toxic and nonirritant to human skin. It has been found to have substantially the same boiling point as water, no skinsensitising activity, no splutter increasing effect, and no staining effect on the materials ironed.

The surfactant causes smaller droplets to be produced in the steam generated by the iron so that the iron appears to produce more steam. This improves the wetting of the fabric being ironed which not only improves the glide characteristics but also causes a greater penetration of the fragrance into the fabric.

Under test by several persons, most found no impairment of the glide performance, and notably, one tester, an elderly lady suffering from arthritis, found such a reduction in effort that her endurance was increased to the point whereat she could iron in one session an amount which had previously taken three sessions on separate days.

It was further found that fabrics steam ironed with water developed an objectionable "musty" smell when left folded and piled immediately after being ironed without being "aired", whereas with this solution similar fabrics similarly ironed, stacked and left for several days did not develop such a smell, and remained fresh, which is a great advantage to a user whose facilities for airing clothes are severely restricted.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A solution for use in a steam iron or press for steam ironing or pressing fabrics, which consists of demineralised water and additives including a water solutable volatile fragrance, characterised in that the additives also include: (a) a water soluble dispersal agent and (b) a water soluble preservative.
2. 2. A solution as claimed in Claim 1 which is formulated to boil within + 2"C of the temperature at which water boils under the same conditions.
3. 3. A solution as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 which is formulated to not leave any solid residue in a receptacle when boiled dry.
4. 4. A solution as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the dispersal agent is a non-ionic surfactant.
5. 5. A solution as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the preservative is an antimicrobial agent.
6. 6. A solution as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is of the following formulation (the percentages specified being by weight): (a) non-ionic surfactant 0.1% to 10%, (b) fragrance 0.1% to 2%' (c) anti-microbial agent 0.2% to 0.3% balance to 100% demineralised water.
7. 7. A solution as claimed in Claim 6 which is of the following formulation: (a) non-ionic surfactant 1.725%, (b) fragrance 1.275%, (c) anti-microbial agent 0.20%, (d) demineralised water, e.g. distilled water, 96.8%.
8. 8. Solutions as claimed in Claim 1 substantially as herein described.