MXPA01004087A - Method for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A product and procedure is provided for washing delicate garments or dry cleaning garments in a conventional household washing machine; the method represents a domestic version of commercial wet washing procedures for cleaning delicate garments; the product comprises a liquid composition with combination washing/conditioning, and optionally a wash pretreatment composition, a flexible wrapping container within which the garments are contained during washing, and a pretreatment applicator.

Description

METHOD FOR WASHING DELICATE CLOTHES IN A WASHING MACHINE This application claims the benefit of the provisional application of E.U.A. No. 60 / 105,539, filed on October 24, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to products and methods for washing delicate garments or dry cleaning in a conventional domestic washing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By definition, the term "dry cleaning" has been used to describe procedures for cleaning textiles using non-aqueous solvents. Dry cleaning is an old technique with cleaning solvent registered first in the United Kingdom in the 1860s. Normally, dry cleaning procedures are used with delicate fabrics such as wool and silk which are subjected to shrinkage in aqueous solutions for laundry, or which are considered too valuable or delicate to undergo aqueous laundry procedures. Normally, such garments have a label attached to them, either identifying the garment as "dry cleaning," or providing some other suitable indication of washing. During the last fifty years, the non-aqueous solvent of choice used more widely for commercial dry cleaning, has been perchlorethylene. Although perchlorethylene is superior to the non-aqueous solvents it replaces, it has several disadvantages. In particular, perchlorethylene has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a dangerous atmospheric pollutant, and has been associated with disorders of the nervous system and kidney among industrial workers. In 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency classified perchlorethylene as a "probable human carcinogen". The potential carcinogenic effects of perchlorethylene are not limited to industrial workers or those who operate perchlorethylene-based dry cleaning procedures: a recent study of commercial dry cleaners in New York revealed that many of these cleaners used such high amounts of perchlorethylene To clean clothes, customers who wore freshly cleaned clothes could inhale enough perchlorethylene to incur a slightly increased risk of cancer. As a consequence of the nature of the risk of perchlorethylene, dry cleaning procedures using perchlorethylene must be carried out in commercial establishments. This is not only inconvenient and expensive, but can expose delicate and possibly expensive garments to quality dry cleaning procedures and care of inconsistent garments. Many consumers who have taken their items to a commercial dry cleaner, have reported damaged by excessive shrinkage, discoloration or ripping. The use of perchlorethylene in commercial dry cleaning establishments also tends to leave a "chemical" odor in clothes that is not satisfactory for customers. Moreover, although solvent-based dry cleaning procedures are very effective at removing dirt and oil stains, they are not optimal for removing particulate materials such as clay soils or water-soluble stains, such as the sugars commonly found. in many drinks based on fruits and soft drinks, and may require special treatment conditions to remove proteinaceous spots. Given the above, there is a continuing need for a method or process that provides excellent cleaning benefits over a variety of stains and dirt conditions, and imparts a "fresh" and "clean" scent to delicate articles or dry cleaning without the use of dangerous or harmful chemicals. Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a method for cleaning delicate or dry-cleaning garments using non-toxic and non-hazardous chemicals to provide superior cleaning benefits in a wide variety of soils and stains. Said method or procedure must also be relatively convenient and economical, and not present the possible damage to the garment and adverse "chemical" essence that sometimes is the result of a commercial dry cleaning. Ideally, proteinaceous and particulate stains, as well as dirt and oil stains, are removed from fabrics using detersive ingredients and under operating conditions which are more related to aqueous laundry procedures than conventional dry cleaning. Such aqueous laundry processes also consistently impart an essence of "freshness" or "cleanliness" to the fabric, rather than the "chemical" odor that is often encountered when using perchlorethylene or other nonaqueous solvents. Perhaps the most widely practiced aqueous laundry procedure is performed by the consumer when immersing a garment in an aqueous washing detergent solution in a conventional domestic washing machine. This procedure has been shown to provide excellent performance both for the removal of stains and for the general cleaning of the garment, and can be done without using dangerous or toxic chemicals. In addition, the use of an aqueous washing process in a conventional washing machine is considerably more convenient and economical than virtually any other washing method. However, such procedures can produce unacceptable results when applied to a wide variety of delicate or dry-cleaning garments, such as those made of wool. The wool is made up of fibers which can be interlaced with each other by a series of "scales". Generally, these entanglement scales can not move beyond any other and, as a result, wool is a relatively strong textile. However, when the wool gets wet or wet, then the water provides lubrication whereby the scales can be moved beyond one another in a preferential direction if sufficient force is applied in that direction; said force can be provided by the agitation experienced in a washing machine. When the fibers move in this preferential direction, then the wool garment shrinks. This shrinkage can not be avoided because these "flakes" can only be moved beyond the others in a preferred direction. Sufficient force can not be applied to move them in the opposite direction to the preferred direction to avoid shrinkage. Thus, when the wool garment is removed from the aqueous washing process, the shrinkage has occurred and the garment is irreversibly damaged. Similarly, rayon, when saturated with water, becomes extremely weak and the subsequent agitation and abrasion that it undergoes in a typical aqueous washing procedure probably not only causes severe damage to the garment, but also leaves it extremely wrinkled. Likewise, delicate fabrics such as silk will not only be severely wrinkled, but may also lose their desirable softness sensation. Garments such as silk are also vulnerable not only to the mechanical agitation of a conventional washing machine, but also are particularly vulnerable to typical laundry detergents, because such detergents may contain ingredients that are very aggressive to those delicate fabrics. Thus, it is a further benefit of the present invention to provide an aqueous washing process adapted for use in a conventional washing machine, which is not harmful to garments made of fabrics such as wool, rayon, silk, acrylics, triacetates, fine cottons, and mixtures of these materials mentioned above. In the present invention, a system has been contemplated to provide the traditional benefits of freshness, shine and cleanliness of an aqueous washing process without the deleterious consequences for delicate fabrics and dry cleaning fabrics described above. The system uses a flexible polymer wrapper container. When a garment is secured inside this container, the garment is cushioned and protects from the force and tension caused by the agitator. The system also uses liquid detergent compositions which are modified to be soft on delicate garments. A first liquid detergent composition is used to pretreat stains, to intensify the cleaning efficiency on the stains. The system can provide an applicator (to distribute the pretreatment composition on the surface of the stain) and, optionally, a special stain absorbing pad which the consumer can use to pre-treat a stain before it is placed in the washing machine. . In addition, the present invention also makes use of a second detergent composition which is a combination of a cleaning and conditioning composition to improve color fidelity, provide anti-wrinkle benefits and reduce abrasion of the fabric, as well as to provide other care benefits to the fabrics. When used according to the procedures described herein, this system provides the consumer with a convenient, economical and effective way to clean delicate items and dry cleaning in the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION By means of the present invention, methods and equipment have been found to perform these procedures, by means of which delicate and dry-cleaning garments can be cleaned and refreshed in an aqueous washing process without damaging the garment. Particularly contemplated is an aqueous washing process performed in a conventional domestic washing machine. Accordingly, the present invention solves the permanent need for an economical and convenient process for cleaning dry cleaning garments and other delicate garments, in a conventional domestic washing machine. The method of the present invention provides an overall garment cleaning equal or superior to a commercial dry cleaning facility using perchlorethylene, but without the use of hazardous chemicals or the deposition of chemical odors on the garment. An essential component of the present invention is a liquid composition with washing / conditioning combination comprising an anionic surfactant, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, a silicone softening agent and optionally an emulsifier; the weight ratio of anionic surfactant: quaternary ammonium surfactant is from about 2: 1 to about 3: 1. The equipment comes with a flexible wrapping container and instructions for using the container to wash clothes in a conventional household washing machine. The flexible wrapping container is designed to contain and protect delicate and dry cleaning clothes from being subjected to the stirring action of a washing machine. The basic part of the flexible wrapping container is a flexible rectangular panel constructed of woven polyester or woven nylon layer. A method for cleaning garments using the equipment provided in this invention is also provided. This method involves placing the fabrics and textiles inside the flexible wrapping container described above, and then placing the flexible wrapping container together with an effective amount of a liquid composition with washing / conditioning combination inside a washing machine, and then operating The washing machine as prescribed by the manufacturer.

All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All the cited documents are incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the flexible wrapping container 122. Figure 1A is a side view illustrating the flexible wrapping container 122 and showing two attached fins, a first folded vane 111 and a second vane 112 folded over it. panel. Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an expanded flexible wrapper container 125. In this embodiment, the two wrappers can be joined together via connection means 107 located adjacent to the bottom edge of the panel 101 of each flexible wrapper container 122 to form an expanded flexible wrapper container 125. Figure 3 is a detail illustrating a bag 110 attached to the panel 100 of the flexible wrapper container, which provides a storage area for the additional bands and fastening devices, when two flexible wrappers are joined to form an expanded flexible wrapper container as in Figure 2. Figure 3A is a side view in sections of the bag 110 illustrating the storage of bands and fastening devices in the adjoining bags when two flexible wrap containers are joined to form an expanded flexible wrapper container as in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a enlarged sectional view showing a profile of the layers of material in a preferred embodiment of the flexible wrapper 122.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a "kit" which contains the necessary materials to allow the consumer to clean their delicate garments or dry cleaning in a conventional domestic washing machine, with superior cleaning performance but without significant damage or adverse effects normally associated with the cleaning of watery garments. At a minimum, the equipment includes a liquid cleaning composition specially formulated to treat and clean delicate and dry cleaning garments, a conditioner for rinse cycle and a flexible wrap container. The equipment may also include: A wash pretreatment composition, one or more wash pretreatment applicators, an appliance for dispensing a rinse cycle conditioner and multiple absorbent spotting pads. The flexible wrapping container described by the present invention provides important benefits over similar devices in current use. In particular, it offers a superior means of securing and closing, thus limiting the opportunity for garments to come out and be damaged while being washed in a washing machine. In addition, the thickness of the flexible wrapping container isolates and protects the garment or garments contained therein from the stress and abrasion that may be caused by the agitator and other internal parts of a washing machine. The flexible wrapping container also offers an expansion and versatility that is not seen in other devices: Not only the flexible wrapping container is larger than competing devices; it has a plurality of connection means (eg snaps), which allow two identical flexible wrappers to close together to provide an additional flexible wrapper container with twice the original capacity at no additional cost to the consumer. This further improves the retention benefits of the size of the present invention. The present invention further provides a wash pretreatment applicator which is intended to be attached to a human finger, which is used to apply the wash pretreatment composition onto the soiled area of a garment. The wash pretreatment applicator is a highly useful tool whereby the stain removing agent can be applied over the stained area of a garment with improved convenience and effectiveness. When these separate components are taken and used together, the result is an innovative method and equipment for performing said process whereby delicate and dry-cleaning garments can be cleaned and refreshed in an aqueous washing process without damaging the garments. Particularly contemplated is an aqueous washing process performed in a conventional domestic washing machine.

Definitions By "aqueous compositions" is meant herein compositions comprising a major portion of water. By "solution" is meant herein a liquid mixture of ingredients. As used herein, "solution" does not express or imply the existence of only a single liquid or solid phase. Nor is it intended to describe a homogeneous solvent / solute system. By "effective amount" is meant herein any amount capable of perceptibly improving the removal of spots from a localized area of a garment. In general, this amount can vary widely. By "cleaning" is meant here the removal of dirt and fabric stains. By "contact with stained areas" with respect to the wash pretreatment applicator, the contact is herein understood to be provided by the incidence of the soft bristles which comprise the brushing means of the device with one side of the stained area. By "contact with stained areas" with respect to the absorbent stain pad, it is meant herein that the stained area side of the fabric opposite the wash pre-treatment applicator, impacts directly on the receiver and is in close communication with the same. The components of the devices of this invention and their method of use are described in more detail below.COMPOSITION OF WASHING PREPARATION AND COMPOSITION WASHING / CONDITIONING COMBINATION DETERGENT Some laundry detergent compositions are very aggressive for treating delicate dry cleaning garments. In particular, detergent ingredients such as certain surfactants, enzymes and bleaches can cause severe damage (discoloration of the garment in particular) to delicate garments and dry cleaning. Accordingly, the liquid cleaning compositions of the present invention should preferably be substantially free of bleaches and include a variety of enzymes that is less aggressive than the enzymes normally used in a laundry detergent composition. In other words, the liquid cleaning compositions herein should be formulated so as not to damage fabrics by causing discoloration, abrasion and other adverse effects. Accordingly, although conventional laundry detergents are usually formulated to provide good cleaning on cotton fabrics and cotton / polyester blend fabrics, the compositions herein must be formulated to also safely and effectively clean fabrics such as cotton. , silk, rayon, alpaca, fleece, fine cotton, and mixtures of the fabrics mentioned above. In addition, the compositions herein comprise ingredients that are specially selected and formulated to minimize the migration of fugitive dyes. Accordingly, the present invention includes a washing pre-treatment composition and washing / conditioning combination composition - the latter providing detersive, cleaning, conditioning and softness benefits in a single composition. The wash pretreatment composition is distributed on the surface of a stained area of the garment by the use of an applicator (described in more detail herein), after which the stained area of the garment is optionally rinsed with water. The washing / conditioning composition is then subsequently mixed with water in a washing machine in the customary manner to form an aqueous washing detergent solution suitable for cleaning garments by immersion. It has now been discovered that when the applicator, the washing / conditioning composition and the washing pretreatment composition are used in the manner described herein, excellent stain and dirt removal performance is obtained even when these detergent compositions are specially formulated to be soft. In addition to the above conditions, the wash pretreatment composition used herein is preferably formulated so that it is readily dispensed and not so sticky in nature that it makes the spot removal applicator difficult to handle or difficult to use. It is understood that the "active adjunct" materials used will vary, depending on the final intended use of the final composition. The following is solely for the purpose of serving as non-limiting illustrations of said active adjunct ingredients, more examples of which will be readily apparent to the skilled formulator.

First part: the washing pretreatment composition The washing pretreatment composition is an optional component of the present invention, and can be selected from the following suitable ingredients which will now be described in seritam.

Detersive Surfactants Surfactants are known to have potentially severe effects on fabrics. Typically, the compositions herein will comprise from about 3% to about 40%, more preferably from about 10% to about 25%, most preferably from about 15% to about 20%, by weight of detersive surfactants.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants useful herein include the unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the alkylalkoxy sulfates of C <; \ Q-C < Q ("AEXS", especially EO-1-7 ethoxysulfates), C10-C18 alkylalkoxycarboxylates (especially EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), and branched-chain C10-C20 ("AS") alkyl sulphates, randomized, the alkyl sulfates of Secondary C10-C18 (2,3) of formula CH3 (CH2)? (CHOS03-M +) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) and (CHOS03-M +) CH2CH3 where x and (and +1) are integers of at least about 7 , preferably at least about 9, and M is a cation for solubilization in water, especially sodium, the glycerol ethers of C-] rj-Ci8 > the a-cyclopolyglycosides of C-jo-C-iß and their corresponding sulfated polyglucosides and alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters of C- | 2-Ci8- If desired, conventional amphoteric and nonionic surfactants such as C-j2-C alkylethoxylates - | 8 ("AE") including the so-called narrow-chain alkyl ethoxylates and the C6-C12 alkylphenol-alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and ethoxy / mixed propoxy), C12-C18 betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), amine oxides of C - | fj-Ci8. and the like, can also be included in the overall compositions. The N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of C-io-C ^ s- may also be used. Typical examples include the N-methylglucamides of C-J2- -I8- See WO 9,206,154. Other surfactants derived from sugar include N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as N- (3-methoxypropyl) glucamide of C- | o-C < | 8- The N-propyl to N-hexyl C-12-C18 glucamides can be used for low foam formation. Conventional C10-C20 soaps may also be used. If high foaming is desired, branched chain C-J Q-C-16 soaps may be used. Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are especially useful and cationic and amphoteric surfactants can also be used. Other conventional useful surfactants are cited in standard texts.

Detergency builders The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise one or more builders or builders. When present, the compositions will typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 35%, more preferably from about 1% to about 25%, most preferably from about 2% to about 8% by weight, of builder. Organic detergency builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used herein, "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. The polycarboxylate builder in general can be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt. When used in salt form, alkali metal salts, such as sodium, potassium and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Citrate builders, for example, citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for the present detergent formulations, because of their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradability Fatty acids are also carboxylate builders important for the present invention. The fatty acids described herein may contain from about 1 to about 10 ethylene oxide units in the hydrocarbon chain. Saturated fatty acids containing from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms are preferred. Suitable saturated fatty acids can be obtained from natural sources such as plant or animal esters (for example, stabilized palm kernel oil and stabilized coconut oil and palm oil), or they can be prepared synthetically (for example, by oxidation of oil or by hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by the Fisher-Tropsch procedure). Examples of saturated fatty acids suitable for use in the compositions of this invention include capric, lauric, myristic, coconut and palm kernel acids. Coconut saturated fatty acids, mixtures of weight ratios of about 5: 1 to 1: 1 (preferably about 3: 1) of lauric acid and myristic acid, mixtures of the above with lower amounts (e.g. 10% -30% of the total fatty acid) of oleic acid; and stabilized fatty acid palm kernel. Polycarboxylate builders include a variety of categories of useful materials. An important category of polycarboxylate builders includes ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as described in Berg, U.S. Patent 3,128,287, issued April 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al, U.S. Pat. 3,635,830, issued January 18, 1972. See also "TMS / TDS" detergency builders of U.S. Patent 4,663,071, issued to Bush et al., May 5, 1987. Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds , such as those described in US Patents 3,923,679, Rapko, issued December 2, 1975; 4,158,635, Crutchfield et al., Issued June 19, 1979; 4,120,874, Crutchfield et al., Issued October 17, 1978; and 4,102,903, Crutchfield et al., issued July 25, 1978. Other useful builders include ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, maleic anhydride copolymers with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene-2,4,6 acid. -trisulphonic, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as mellitic acid, succinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene-1, 3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof. Other suitable polycarboxylates are described in U.S. 4,144,226, Crutchfield et al., Issued March 13, 1979, and in U.S. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. See also Diehl, patent of E.U.A. 3,723,322.

Enzymes Enzymes may be included in the formulations herein for a wide variety of fabric washing purposes, including the removal of protein based, carbohydrate based or triglyceride based stains, for the prevention of fugitive dye transfer. Certain enzymes also provide fabric restoration benefits by breaking down and degrading loose and threadbare fibers on the surface of a textile article, particularly textile articles made of silk or wool. Enzymes to be incorporated include proteases, amylases, mannanases and lipases, as well as mixtures thereof. Other types of enzymes can also be included. They can be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast. However, its choice depends on several factors such as optimal levels of activity and / or pH stability, thermostability, stability against surfactants, builders, etc. Protease is an acceptable enzyme because of its well-known cleaning benefits over a variety of stains produced by organic materials. Enzymes such as cellulases and peroxidases are less desirable, because of their potentially aggressive effects on delicate garments, and in an optimal composition, they are not present. Enzymes are normally incorporated at levels sufficient to provide up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically about 0.01 mg to about 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably 0.01% -1.0% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Proteases are usually present in such commercial preparations, at levels sufficient to provide 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition. Other examples of enzymes suitable for use in the present invention can be found in the co-pending provisional application of Boutique et al., Entitled "Detergent Compositions Comprising Improved Hydrotropes", case of P &G No. 7694P2, series No. 60 / 150,233. , presented on August 23, 1999.

Enzyme stabilization system The compositions of the present invention may comprise from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.005% to about 8%, more preferably from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight, of an enzyme stabilization system. The enzyme stabilization system can be any stabilization system that is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such a system can be inherently provided by other active formulating agents, or it can be added separately, for example, by the formulator or by a manufacturer of enzymes ready for detergents. Said enzyme stabilization systems may comprise, for example, calcium ion, boric acid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, and mixtures thereof, and are designed to treat different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the detergent composition. Another approach to stabilization is through the use of borate species. See Severson, patent of E.U.A. 4,537,706. Borate stabilizers, when used, may be at levels of up to 10% or more of the composition, although more typically, levels of up to about 3% by weight of boric acid or other borate compounds such as borax or orthoborate are suitable. for the use of liquid detergents. Substituted boric acids such as phenylboronic acid, butanboronic acid, p-bromophenylboronic acid, or the like, may be used in place of boric acid and reduced levels of total boron may be possible in the detergent compositions by the use of said substituted boron derivatives. The stabilization systems of certain cleaning compositions may further comprise from 0 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight, of chlorine bleach scavengers, added to prevent the chlorine bleach species present in many water sources from attacking and inactivating the enzymes, especially under alkaline conditions. Although chlorine levels in water can be small, typically in the range of about 0.5 ppm to about 1.75 ppm, the available chlorine in the total volume of water that comes into contact with the enzyme, for example, during the wash of fabrics, it can be relatively large; consequently, the stability of the enzyme to chlorine during use is sometimes problematic. Suitable chlorine scavenging anions are widely known and readily available and, if used, may be salts containing ammonium cations with sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulphite, thiosulfate, iodide, etc. Likewise, antioxidants such as carbamate, ascorbate, etc., organic amines such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or an alkali metal salt thereof, monoethanolamine (MEA), and mixtures thereof can be used. The compositions of the present invention may contain any of the water-soluble formates described in the U.S.A. No. 4,318,818, Letton et al., Issued March 9, 1872, incorporated herein by reference. The formate is present at a level of from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 2%, more preferably from about 0.4% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition.

Other suitable detergent ingredients that can be added to the enzyme stabilizers are the enzyme oxidation scavengers which are described in co-pending European patent application 92870018.6, filed on January 31, 1992. Examples of said enzyme oxidation scavengers are tetraethylene polyamines ethoxylated Other compounds and techniques suitable for enzyme stabilization and chlorine purification for use in the present invention can be found in the co-pending provisional application of Curry et al., Entitled "Methods for Laundering Delicate Garments in a Washing Machine", which has the case of P &G No. 7315P2, series No., filed on October 1, 1999.

Removing agents / anti-redeposition of dirt from particulate material The compositions of the present invention may also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having removal properties and anti-redeposition of clay dirt. Liquid detergent compositions typically contain from about 0.01% to about 5%. The preferred soil remover and anti-redeposition agent is tetraethylenepentamine ethoxylated ("TEPA"). On average, tetraethylenepentamine is ethoxylated with 15 to 18 moles of ethylene oxide at each hydrogen site. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are more fully described in the U.S.A. No. 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1, 1986. Another group of clay soil removal / anti-redeposition agents are the cationic compounds described in European Patent Application 111, 965, Oh and Gosselink, published on 27 June 1984. Other clay soil removers / anti-redeposition agents that may be used include the ethoxylated amine polymers described in European patent application 111, 984, Gosselink, published June 27, 1984; the zwitterionic polymers described in European Patent Application 112,592, Gosselink, published July 4, 1984; and the amine oxides described in the U.S.A. No. 4,548,744, Connor, issued October 22, 1985. Other clay removers and / or anti-redeposition agents known in the art can also be used in the compositions herein. Another type of preferred anti-redeposition agent includes the carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC) materials. These materials are well known in the art.

Dye transfer inhibiting agents An important part of the present invention is to provide color care for delicate fabrics and garments which are cleaned according to the aqueous cleaning procedures described herein. Thus, the compositions of the present invention may also include one or more materials effective to inhibit the transfer of dye from one fabric to another during the cleaning process. Generally, said dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%, and most preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%. More specifically, the preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers for use herein contain units having the following structural formula: R-Ax-P; wherein P is a polymerizable unit to which a N-O group can be attached or the N-O group can be part of the polymerizable unit or the N-O group can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: -NC (O) -, -C (O) O-, -S-, -O-, -N =; x is 0 or 1; and R are aliphatic, aliphatic ethoxylated, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-O group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrroline, piperidine, and derivatives thereof. The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures: where R < | , R2 and R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups, or combinations thereof; x, y e z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or forms part of any of the groups mentioned above. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a pKa < 10, preferably pKa < 7, more preferably pKa < 6. An example of a dye transfer inhibiting agent is poly-4-vinylpyridine N-oxide, which may be referred to as "PVNO". Also suitable are the polymer copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole (referred to as "PVPVI"), as well as polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP"). These are described in greater detail in the US patent. No. 5,759,208 to Zhen et al., Issued June 2, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Additional Agents for Color Care In addition to the dye transfer inhibitors, the present invention further comprises an additional agent to provide color care benefits: polyethyleneimine 30, PEI 600 E20, having the general formula: E B [E2NCH2CH2] w [NCH2CH2]? [NCH2CH2] NE2 wherein B is a continuation, by branching, of the polyethyleneimine base structure. E is an ethyleneoxy unit having the formula: - (CH2CH20) mH wherein m has an average value of about 20. What it means at present as an average value of 20, is that a sufficient amount of oxide is reacted ethylene or another suitable reagent with the polyethyleneimine starting material to completely ethoxylate each NH unit to a degree of 20 ethoxylations. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that some hydrogen atoms of the N-H unit will be replaced by less than 20 ethoxy units, and some will be replaced by more than 20 ethoxy units; therefore, the average number of ethoxylations is 20. The units constituting the polyalkyleneimine base structures are primary amine units having the formula: H2N-CH2CH2] - and -NH2 which terminate the main base structure and any branching chain, secondary amine units having the formula: H - [N-CH2CH2] - and which, after modification, have their hydrogen atom replaced by an average of 20 ethyleneoxy units, and tertiary amine units that have the formula: B - [N-CH2CH2] - which are the branching points of the chains of the primary and secondary base structure, B representing a continuation of the structure of the chain by branching. The tertiary units have no replaceable hydrogen atom, and therefore are not modified by substitution with ethyleneoxy units. During the formation of the polyamine base structures, cyclization may occur; therefore, an amount of cyclic polyamine may be present in the original polyalkyleneimine base structure mixture. Each unit of primary and secondary amine of the cyclic alkyleneimines undergoes modification by the addition of alkyleneoxy units in the same way as linear and branched polyalkyleneimines. The indices w, x and y have values such that the average molecular weight of the polyethyleneimine base structure before modification is approximately 600 daltons. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that each branching chain must end in a primary amine unit; therefore, the value of the index w is y + 1, in the case where cyclic amine base structures are not present. The average molecular weight for each unit of ethylene base structure, -NCH2CH2-, is about 43 daltons. The polyamines of the present invention can be prepared, for example, by polymerizing ethyleneimine in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulfite, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc. Specific methods for preparing these polyamine base structures are described in the US patent. 2,182,306 Ulrich et al., Issued December 5, 1939; patent of E.U.A. 3,033,746, Mayle et al., Issued May 8, 1962; patent of E.U.A. 2,208,095, Esselmann et al., Issued July 16, 1940; patent of E.U.A. 2,806,839, Crowther, issued September 17, 1957; and patent of E.U.A. 2,553,696, Wilson, issued May 21, 1951; all incorporated herein by reference.

Foam suppressors Compounds can be incorporated to reduce or suppress foaming to the compositions of the present invention. The suppression of foam may be of particular importance in the so-called "high concentration cleaning process" as described in the U.S. Patents. 4,489,455 and 4,489,574 and in front-loading European-style washing machines. A wide variety of materials such as foam suppressors can be used and such foam suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, third edition volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley &Sons, Inc., 1979). A category of foam suppressors of particular interest encompasses monocarboxylic fatty acids and soluble salts therein. See U.S. Patent No. 2,294,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St. John. The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof used as a suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts include alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium and lithium salts and ammonium and alkanolammonium salts. The detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant foam suppressants. These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acid esters (for example, triglycerides of fatty acids), fatty acid esters and monovalent alcohols, C? SC or aliphatic ketones (for example, stearone) , etc. Other foam inhibitors include n-alkylated aminotriazines such as tri- to hexaalkylmelamines or di- to tetraalkyldiamin-chlortriazines, monostearyl phosphates such as phosphate ester of monostearyl alcohol and phosphates-esters and monostearyl dialkali metal phosphates (for example K, Na and Li). The hydrocarbons, such as paraffin and halogenoparaffin can be used in liquid form. The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure and will have a pour point in the range of about -40 ° C to about 50 ° C and a minimum boiling point of not less than about 110 ° C (atmospheric pressure). It is also known to use waxy hydrocarbons, which preferably have a melting point below about 100 ° C. Hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of foam suppressant for detergent compositions. The hydrocarbon foam suppressors are described, for example, in the U.S.A. No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. Thus, the hydrocarbons include aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic and heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons, having from about 12 to about 70 carbon atoms. The term "paraffin", as used in this consideration of suds suppressors, is intended to include mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons. Another preferred category of non-surfactant foam suppressors comprises silicone foam suppressors. This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such as polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles in which the polyorganosiloxane is chemically observed or melted on the silica. Silicone foam suppressors are well known in the art and are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. and European patent application No. 89307851.9, published on February 7, 1990, by M. Starch.

Other foam suppressors may be selected from the silicones described later in this application in the section on silicone softening agents, and in the U.S. patent. No. 5,579,208 to Zhen et al., Issued June 2, 1998, incorporated above.

Other Components Other optional ingredients for the compositions herein include, but are not limited to, hydrotropes, antibacterial agents, other enzyme stabilizers and perfumes. Especially desirable are anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crispers and other agents that protect the color of fabrics. The pH of the composition, as described herein, will be between 5 and 9.

Second part: composition with washing / conditioning combination The present invention also relates to a washing / conditioning composition, which provides not only detersive and cleaning benefits on dry cleaning garments, but also the benefits of softness and conditioning to through washing. This greatly improves the convenience of the general procedure for the consumer, because the conditioning agent is added at the start of the wash cycle, and does not need to be added subsequently during the rinse cycle. In addition to its cleaning benefits, the combination of a washing / conditioning solution provides a number of important benefits, such as improved color fidelity, improved abrasion resistance and excessive prevention against wrinkling. Fabric softeners also help maintain the softness of fabrics of garments such as silk, which can have a rough feel after being washed in an aqueous laundry detergent. In this way, particularly important for the present composition with washing / conditioning combination, are additives which act as anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crispers and other agents that protect the color of the fabrics. Many of the ingredients for the washing / conditioning composition have been described above in the section on the washing pretreatment composition, and will not be duplicated herein. In addition to said ingredients, the following optional and essential ingredients will be selected by the formulating expert for use in the wash / conditioning composition. Other ingredients suitable for use in the present invention are described in the U.S.A. No. 5,460,736, Trinh et al., Issued October 24, 1995; patent of E.U.A. No. 5,545,350, Baker et al., Issued August 13, 1996; and patent of E.U.A. No. 5,562,849, Wahl et al., Issued October 8, 1996; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants As an essential component, the compositions with wash / conditioning combination herein contain from about 1% to about 10%, preferably from about 2% to about 7%, more preferably about 3% to about 5% by weight of a quaternary ammonium surfactant of the formula: wherein Ri and R2 are individually selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and - (C2H4?) xH, wherein x has a value of from about 2 to about 5; X is an anion; and (1) R3 and R4 are each a C6-C14 alkyl or (2) R3 is a C-C-iß alkyl, and R4 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C10 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl of C- 1-C10, benzyl, and - (C2H4?) XH, wherein x has a value of 2 to 5. Preferred quaternary ammonium surfactants are the chloride, bromide and methyl sulfate salts. Examples of preferred long chain alkyl quaternary monoammonium surfactants are those wherein R1, R2 and R4 are each methyl and R3 is a C8-C6 alkyl; or wherein R 3 is C 1 -C 8 alkyl and R i, R 2 and R 4 are selected from methyl and hydroxyalkyl portions. Particular preference is given to lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, myristyltrimethylammonium chloride, palmityltrimethylammonium chloride, cocotrimethylammonium chloride, coconut trimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, cocodimethyl-monohydroxy-ethylammonium chloride, cocodimethyl-monohydroxyethylammonium methylsulfate, stearyldimethyl-monohydroxy-ethylammonium chloride, stearyldimethyl methylsulfate. -monohydroxyethylammonium, dimethylammonium-dialkyl chloride of Ci2-C4, and mixtures thereof.

Relation of anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants Anionic surfactants and quaternary ammonium surfactants are both essential components of the present invention. When they are present together within a certain weight ratio they form a mixed micellar system within the composition, so that while the washing / conditioning composition is sufficiently viscous to suspend emulsions of silicone softening agent and other polymers, the compositions are simultaneously They are not so viscous and thick, so they can not be easily and conveniently poured out of the detergent container where they are contained. In order to achieve the optimum balance of the stability / suspension and viscosity phase benefits of the product it is preferable that the weight ratio of anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants be from about 2: 1 to about 3: 1, preferably closely from 2.2: 1 to about 2.8: 1. Although the patent E.U.A.

No. 5,759,208 also discloses the combination of anionic and quaternary ammonium surfactants, the ratio of the anionic to quaternary surfactant (about 5: 1) is significantly higher than the ratios used in the present invention.

Enzymes As discussed above, enzymes improve cleaning and removal in a wide variety of spots, including protein based stains, carbohydrate based or triglyceride based stains. In the disclosed combination of washing / conditioning compositions, certain enzymes also provide fabric restoration benefits by decomposing and degrading the loss of worn fibers on the surface of a textile article, particularly textile articles made of silk or wool. The mannanase enzymes and amylase enzymes are preferred for use in the washing / cleaning compositions due to their dirt removal benefits. As mentioned above, enzymes such as celluloses and peroxidases are less suitable. A particularly preferred amylase enzyme is NATALASE® which can be specified as an α-amylase having a specific activity of at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamylá on a temperature scale of 25 ° C to 55 ° C, and a pH value on the scale of 8 to 10, measured with the Phadease a-amylase activity test.

Silicone softening agents and emulsions thereof The present invention may also include a variety of silicone oils (preferably prepared in the form of an emulsion), which have been found to impart a significantly softer feel to most types of fabric and also significantly reduce the amount of wrinkle formation. The silicone softening agent may or may not be present in the form of an emulsion. Silicone softening agents include polyalkyl or polyarylsiloxanes that conform to the following formula wherein R is an aliphatic group, preferably alkyl or alkenyl, or aryl, R may be substituted or unsubstituted, and x is an integer from 1 to about 8,000. Suitable unsubstituted R groups include alkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, alkylamine and substituted aliphatic ether groups, substituted hydroxyls and substituted halogens and aryl groups. Suitable R groups also include cationic amines and quaternary ammonium groups. The aliphatic or aryio substituted groups in the siloxane chain can have any structure as long as the resulting silicones remain fluid at room temperature, are hydrophobic and do not damage or alter the textile articles when applied, they are compatible with the other components of the detergent composition , they are chemically stable under normal use and storage conditions and can be deposited on and conditioned to textile articles in accordance with the methods set forth in the present invention. The two R groups on the silicon atom of each monomeric silicone unit may represent the same or different groups. Preferably, the two R groups represent the same group. The alkyl or alkenyl substituents are C 1 -C 5 alkyls and alkenyls, most preferably C 1 -C 4, very much preferably C 1 -C 2. The aliphatic portions of other groups containing alkyl-, alkenyl-, or alkynyl- (such as alkoxy, arylalkyl, and alkylamino) can be straight or branched chains and preferably have from one to five carbon atoms, most preferably from one to four atoms of carbon, most preferably from one to three carbon atoms, very much preferably one to two carbon atoms. Other suitable R groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl and phenylmethyl. Preferred silicones are polydimethylsiloxane, polydiethylsiloxane and polymethylphenylsiloxane. Polydimethylsiloxane is especially preferred. Other suitable R groups include methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, polyethoxy, propoxy, and aryloxy. The three R groups at the ends of the silicone can also represent the same or different groups. Other preferred silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes modified with polyalkylene oxide, which are especially effective in reducing wrinkles. Such silicone fluids are available from OSI Specialties Company under the name SILWET®. SILWET® L77, which is a mixture of modified heptamethyltrisiloxane with polyalkylene oxide and 16% methylalkyloxy polyethylene glycol ether, is particularly preferred. Further analysis and examples of the silicone oils suitable for use in the present invention can be found in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,874,073 to Kaiser et al., Issued February 23, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference. It may be desirable to incorporate emulsifying agents in effective concentrations to emulsify the silicone conditioning agents. (As used herein, "emulsifying agents" includes suspending agents). The emulsifying agents and suspending agents are discussed in greater detail in the U.S.A. No. 5,874,073 and in the US patent. No. 5,759,208 both incorporated in the present invention for reference. Particularly preferred are the emulsifying surfactants described in the U.S.A. No. 5,759,208, which are added to the silicone fluid to form an emulsion.Copolymer, oligomer or polymer materials based on cyclic amine It is preferred that the combination of washing / conditioning compositions of the present invention comprise one or more cyclic amine based copolymers, oligomers, polymers. It has been discovered that such materials impart some appearance benefits to fabrics and textiles washed in aqueous wash solutions formed from detergent compositions containing a mixture of cyclic amine-based oligomers, copolymers or polymers and materials for treating polymer fabrics. or oligomers based on hydrophobically modified cellulosics. Such fabric appearance benefits may include, for example, improved overall appearance of washed fabrics, reduction of speckle and lint formation, protection against color fading, improved abrasion resistance, etc. The treatment materials for cyclic amine-based fabrics used in the compositions and methods herein can provide such appearance benefits to fabrics with very little, if any, loss in the redeeming of cleaning provided by the laundry detergent compositions in which incorporate such materials. The cyclic amine-based copolymer, oligomer or polymer component of the compositions of the present invention may comprise combinations of these cyclic amine-based materials. For example, a mixture of morpholine and epihalohydrin condensates can be combined with a mixture of morpholine and epihalohydrin condensates to achieve the desired fabric treatment results. In addition, the molecular weight of the cyclic amine based on fabric treatment materials can vary within the mixture as illustrated in the examples below.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, an oligomer is a molecule consisting of only a few monomer units while the polymers comprise considerably more monomer units. For the present invention, the oligomers are defined as molecules having an average molecular weight below about 1,000, and the polymers are molecules having an average molecular weight of more than about 1,000. The copolymers are polymers or oligomers wherein two or more unequal monomers have been simultaneously or sequentially polymerized. The copolymers of the present invention may include, for example, polymers or oligomers polymerized from a mixture of a primary cyclic amine-based monomer, for example, piperidine and a secondary cyclic amine monomer such as, for example, morpholine. The mixture of polymers, cyclic amine based oligomers and hydrophobically modified cellulose-based polymers or oligomers of the detergent compositions of the present invention will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the detergent composition. Preferably, the mixture of the cyclic amine-based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and the hydrophobically modified cellulosic-based polymers or oligomers will comprise from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of the detergent compositions, most preferably about 0.75% to about 3%. However, as mentioned in previous paragraphs, when used as an additive for the wash solution, that is, when the mixture of cyclic amine-based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and hydrophobically modified cellulose-based polymers or oligomers is not incorporated in a detergent composition, the concentration of the mixture of cyclic amine-based polymers, oligomers or copolymers and polymers or oligomers based on hydrophobically modified cellulosics can comprise from about 0.1% to about 80% by weight of the additive material. Preferred cyclic amine-based polymer, oligomer or copolymer materials that are suitable for use in laundry operations and provide the desired fabric appearance and integrity benefits are described in greater detail in the co-pending provisional patent application of Panandiker et al. al., entitled "Laundry Detergent Compositions With a Combination of Cyclic Amine Based Polymers and Hydrophobically Modified Carboxy Methyl Cellulose", which has a serial number 60 / 148,053, P &; G Case No. 7292P2, filed on August 10, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Polymeric dirt release agent Dirt release agents can be used in the present invention. If so, they will generally comprise from about 0.01% about 10.0% by weight, of the detergent compositions of the present invention, typically from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0%.

Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can optionally be employed in the compositions and methods of the present invention. The polymeric soil release agents are characterized in that they have hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of the hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and their mixtures, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit in the hydrophobic fibers and to remain adhered to them during the cycles of hydrophobic fibers. washing and rinsing and, in this way, it functions as a fixative of hydrophilic segments.This may allow stains that occur subsequent to the treatment with the soil release agent to be implied more easily in subsequent washing processes.

The polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention especially include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophilic components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of about 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophilic segment does not include any oxypropylene unit unless it is attached to adjacent portions at each end by bonds of ether, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to 30 oxypropylene units, wherein said mixture contains a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units so that the hydrophilic component has a sufficient hydrophilicity to increase the Hydrophilic character of the synthetic polyester fiber surfaces conventional to the deposit of the dirt release people on such surface, said hydrophilic segments preferably comprise at least about 5% oxyethylene units and most preferably, especially for such components having approximately 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50 % of oxyethylene units; or b) one or more hydrophobic components comprising (i) C3 oxyalkylene terephthalate segments, wherein, in case said hydrophobic components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate: oxyalkylene terephthalate units of C3 is about 2: 1 or minor, (ii) C4-C6 alkylene segments or C4-C6 oxyalkylene, or mixtures, (i1) segments of poly (vinyl ester), preferably polyvinyl acetate), having a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (iv) substituents of C 1 -C 4 alkyl ether or C 4 hydroxyalkyl ether, or mixtures thereof, wherein said substituents are present in the form of C 1 -C 4 alkyl ether or hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose derivatives of C4, or mixtures thereof, and such cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic, in this way they have a sufficient level of C1-C4 alkyl ether and / or C4 hydroxyalkyl ether units which are deposited in the super. of the synthetic polyester fiber and require a sufficient level of hydroxyl, once adhered to such conventional synthetic fiber surface, to increase the hydrophilic character of the fiber surface, or a combination of (a) and (b).

Other suitable polymeric soil release agents are described in the U.S.A. No. 5,415,807, issued May 16, 1995 to Gosselink, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Combinations of fabric care components Although they can be used effectively separately, it is preferred that the cyclic amine-based polymer / oligomer / copolymer materials and dye transfer inhibiting agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, phthalocyanine Manganese and oxidase (described in the preceding paragraphs in the section on washing pretreatment compositions) are used in combination to provide an optimal suppression of dye transfer between garments, particularly in mixed-color loads (ie, dark and light colored fabrics). mixed).

FLEXIBLE WRAP CONTAINER It is known that the action of the agitator in a clothes washer exposes delicate fabrics to sufficient abrasion and tension that serious damage can occur as a result. As a result, bags have been developed that can be used in a washing machine to protect these garments from abrasion and stress. However, this has been unsatisfactory for several reasons. First, they are too small to contain more than one or two small garments and can even pile up garments and exacerbate wrinkles and loss of shape. Secondly, several of these bags do not have reliable closing means, so the bag frequently opens during washing, eliminating the protection to the garment that the bag is supposed to provide and probably increases the abrasion and wear of the garments. . Third, these bags are often constructed with an outer cover made of a fabric similar to a grid that allows contact between the washing solution and the garment to provide cleaning benefits; but this pattern similar to a grid can also leave an identical grid print on the garments contained inside. Such a pattern can be virtually impossible to eliminate by ironing. Fourth, these bags are generally very thin and do not provide sufficient protection against the abrasion and tension that a delicate prenoea can experience in a washing machine. A preferred flexible wrapping container ("wrapper") made in accordance with the present invention that remedies many of these problems is shown in Figures 1, 1A and 2. The wrapper 122 comprises a single panel 100, preferably rectangular. The dimensions of the panel 100 are such that the width will be from about 31 cm to about 91 cm, and the length will be from about 55 cm to about 177 cm; a width of about 41 cm to about 81 cm and a length of about 66 cm to about 107 cm is preferred, and preference is given to a width of about 51 cm to about 71 cm and a length of about from 76 cm to about 97 cm. In a rectangular embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, the distance from the top edge of the panel 102 to the bottom edge of the panel 101 is greater than the distance from the right edge of the panel 103 to the left edge of the panel 104. The wrapper , furthermore, it comprises one or more belts 108 that adjoin the upper edge of the panel 102. At one end of each belt is a first fastening device 109 that is fixedly and permanently attached to each belt 108, so that its position on the belt does not change. A second clamping device 106 is preferably attached to each belt by passing the belt through the clamping device so that the change of position on the belt, the length of the belt 105 may increase or decrease. The first and second clamping devices cooperate to secure the flexible wrapping container in a roller-like manner during use (see, for example, Figure 7). Additionally, two cavities 110 are joined adjacent the upper edge of the panel in the manner shown in Figures 1, 1A, 2 and 3. The wrapping container together with preferred embodiments are discussed in more detail in the Cooperating provisional application of Curry et al. al., entitled "Methods for Laundering Delicate Garments in a Washing Machine," having the case number 7315P2 of P &G, incorporated in previous paragraphs.

APPLICATOR OF PRETRAT COMMENT TO THE WASHING The wash pretreatment applicator to be used in the present invention can essentially be any non-abrasive tool with which an effective amount of a wash pretreatment composition can be applied to a soiled area of a garment while providing simultaneous mechanical action Effectively to help remove the stain. In this way, an object as simple as a human finger can function as the wash pretreatment applicator. A preferred embodiment such as the applicator is described in the co-pending provisional application of Curry et al., Entitled "Methods for Laundering Delicate Garments in a Washing Machine," Case No. 7315P2 of P &G, incorporated herein by reference in the preceding paragraphs.

ABSORBENT STAIN RECEIVER The stain absorbing receiver used in the present invention includes an absorbent material that absorbs the liquid composition. In preferred modes of operation, the stain receiver is specifically designed to absorb or entrain liquid compositions from the stained area. The stain-absorbing receiver is necessarily white or has no printing to prevent transfer of colorant from the receptor to the garment. Disposable white or unprinted paper towels such as towels, cleaning cloths, etc. BOUNTY ™ brand, can be used. A preferred receiver consists of a non-woven pad. Additional materials that can function as a dirt-absorbing receiver are described in the co-pending provisional application of Curry et al., Entitled "Methods for Laundering Delicate Garment Washing Machine," with case number 7315P2 of P &G, incorporated into the present in previous paragraphs.

MODALITIES OF THE PROCEDURE The use of devices, compositions and methods of the present invention are described in detail hereinafter. Said description is given by way of illustration and is not limiting of the invention of the detailed description in progress. Although not necessary or essential to the present invention, it is preferable to use a pretreatment method to improve the removal effectiveness of dirt from a soiled area of the garment. This pretreatment method comprises pouring a pretreatment composition into the stained area and subsequently 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 pretreatment. the garment. The pretreatment composition is then optionally rinsed from the stained area with water. In detail, the pretreatment method herein can be carried out in the following manner. Modifications to the process can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 1.- Place the stained area of the garment in contact with a stain absorbing receiver, such as an absorbency pad or a FAM paper towel (preferably a non-woven pad that is white or not printed to prevent transfer of stain dye). the towel to the garment) or any other stain receiver as described herein on any suitable surface such as a table, etc. Pour the pre-treatment washing composition over the stained area. 2. Use the pretreatment washing applicator to spread the pretreatment composition over the stained area with a gentle brushing motion to saturate the localized stained area without saturating the surrounding area and subsequently attempt to remove the stain as much as possible. 3. Optionally, let the composition penetrate the stain for approximately 1 to 3 minutes. 4.- Optionally, apply more of the pretreatment composition on the stained area. 5. - Optionally, rinse the stained area that has been pre-treated with cold running water. 6.- Follow this pre-treatment procedure with the general cleaning procedure described below. A general procedure for treating a complete area of the cloth surface of a garment, including the pretreatment procedure described in the preceding paragraphs, thus comprises the following steps: (i) Optionally, perform a pretreatment procedure in accordance with the steps 1 to 6 of the above description on a stained area of a garment. (I) Place the pretreated garment of step (i) inside the washing instrument in the manner described herein and securing the instrument for washing so that it does not open during the washing process inside the washing machine. (iii) Place the washing instrument inside a washing machine with a measured amount of the washing / conditioning composition. (V) Run the washing machine in its softest stirring cycle and use cold water in the wash and rinse cycles for a period of at least approximately 6 minutes, typically from about 4 minutes to about 12 minutes. (v) Remove from the washing machine the flexible wrapper container containing the clean garments, remove the garment or garments from the flexible wrapper container and allow it to air dry or place them in an air emission dryer (without heat) for silk garments or the heat of the dryer as low as possible for garments made of rayon and rayon mixes. Heavy garments should remain in the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while lighter garments should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. The garments can then be removed and allowed to air dry. Wool garments should not be placed in a clothes dryer. With regard to step (ii), it is appreciated that for fabrics that tend to wrinkle, it is preferred not to overload the washing instrument used herein. In step (iii), the washing machine can have a stirrer arranged either on a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical axis. Typically, such an amount of liquid cleaning / conditioning composition will be added such that the concentration of active ingredients in the washing solution is from about 300 ppm to 2500 ppm, preferably from about 400 ppm to about 2000 ppm, most preferably from about 500 ppm to about 1600 ppm. The step (v) can be performed for longer or shorter periods depending on factors such as the degree and type of spots on the fabrics, the nature of the stain, the nature of the fabrics, the loading of fabrics, and the like. conformity with the needs of the user.

EXAMPLE 1 Examples of one (1) washing pretreatment composition to be used in the pretreatment process; and a wash / conditioning composition that will be added during the wash cycle. The compositions are used in a manner described after the detailed formulations.

Washing pretreatment composition INGREDIENT% by weight Non-ionic surfactant 0.50 N-Cocoyl N-Methylglucamine 1.60 Anionic surfactant 16.00 Amine surfactant co-agent 0.40 Citric acid 2.50 Fatty acids (12-16) 2.00 Ethanol 2.59 Monoethanolamine 0.75 Sodium formate 0.062 Propanediol 5.08 Toluenesulfonate 0.36 Borax premix 2.50 Sodium hydroxide 2.62 Fabric care agents 2.70 Enzymes 0.15 Rest (water, anti-formation agent 61.67 foam, perfume color stabilizers) Washing / conditioning composition 1: C12-C15 alkylethylsulfonate containing an average of 1.8 ethoxy groups. 2: Neodol 45-7 3: Imidazole-epi (condensation oligomer produced by condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin in the ratio of 1: 4: 1). The composition is approximately 94% oligomer and 6% free imidazole. 4: The silicone softening agent can be a mixture of dimethicone and ammonium alkyl sulfonate containing an average of three ethoxy groups or it can be the surfactant SILWET® L77 which is a mixture of modified heptamethyltrisiloxane with 84% polyalkylene oxide (the ingredient "active") and 16% of allyloxy polyethylene glycol methyl ether. The silicone softening agent may be in the form of an emulsion.

Step 1 One or more garments are selected that will be cleaned and renewed. The spots on a garment are then identified from sources such as ink, lipstick, salad dressing, dirt on the neck and other similar sources, and are selected for pretreatment. For pretreatment, the localized stained areas of the garment are placed on a paper towel and treated by applying directly about 0.1 to 5 mis (depending on the size of the stain) of the liquid product of Example I, which is gently worked on the garment using the washing pre-treatment applicator. Optionally, excess liquid product can be removed by rinsing the stain with cold running water.

Step 2 The flexible wrap container is placed flat on a uniform surface such as a table or clothes dryer. A first garment, like a jacket, is placed on the envelope. The sleeves and other extensions of the garment must be folded inwards if necessary and no part of the garment can be left outside the perimeter of the wrap. After the first garment has been placed in the wrapper, the fins of the wrap are folded over the garment so that the entire garment is enclosed by the wrapper. An additional garment can be placed over the folded fins following the same procedure described above and taking care that no part of the garment is outside the perimeter of the flexible wrapper container.

Step 3 The wrap is then rolled up as if a sleeping bag will be rolled up. The wrap is bent in a direction parallel to the longer edge of the wrap, starting from the edge near the connection means. After the bag has been rolled up, it is secured by one or more straps and fasteners so that the straps holding the bag are pulled tightly.

Step 4 The wrap that contains the garment is then placed in a washing machine. Preferably two wraps containing garments of approximately equal weight are placed in the washing machine simultaneously to ensure a balanced load. The washing machine programming should be: medium water level (approximately 64.34 liters), cold water and the softest stirring schedule. The content of two lids of the liquid product of Example I (approximately 66 ml) is poured into the washing machine; 66 ml of the liquid product of Example I in 63.34 liters of water means that the total concentration of the liquid cleaning composition in the detergent / water solution will be approximately 1090 ppm.

Step 5 When the washing machine has completed its entire cycle, the wrappers containing garments are removed from the washing machine and the garments inside the wraps are removed from the wrapper. With the exception of men's ties and woolen garments, the garments can be dried by placing them in a dryer and programming the tumble dryer with air for silk garments or programming the lowest possible heat of the dryer for garments made of rayon and rayon mixtures. Heavy garments should remain in the dryer for 8 to 10 minutes, while light garments should remain for 4 to 6 minutes. The wet garment is removed from the dryer and then the garment can be hung or placed flat to finish the drying. For men's ties and woolen garments, the passage of the dryer is not appropriate and should begin air drying immediately after being removed from the washing machine.

Step 6 Iron or apply steam to garments if necessary.

Claims (23)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - A liquid detergent composition suitable for washing and conditioning delicate fabrics comprising: (a) an anionic surfactant, (b) a quaternary ammonium surfactant, (c) a silicone softening agent, and (d) optionally, an agent emulsifier; wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants is about 2: 1 about 3: 1, preferably about 2.2: 1 about 2.8: 1. 2. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises an enzyme selected from the group consisting of manases, amylases and mixtures thereof. 3.- The Liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the composition does not contain cellulase or peroxidase enzymes. 4. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the quaternary ammonium surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: wherein Ri and R2 are individually selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl of C1-C4, benzyl and - (C2H4O)? H, where x has a value of about 2 to about 5; X is an anion; and (1) R3 and 4 each are C1-C10 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl of C? -C10, benzyl and - (C H4O)? H, wherein x has a value of 2 to 5 and mixtures thereof. 5. - The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a fabric care component selected from the group consisting of cyclic amine-based polymer, oligomer and copolymer materials, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polymers of N-oxide polyamine, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, phthalocyanine manganese, peroxidase and mixtures thereof. 6. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a cyclic amine-based polymer, oligomer or copolymer material and polyamine N-oxide polymers. 7. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the siiicone softening agent is selected from the group consisting of wherein R is aliphatic, preferably alkyl or alkenyl, or aryl; R can be substituted or unsubstituted, and x is an integer of 1 about 8,000. 8. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises α-amylases having a specific activity of at least 25% higher than the specific activity of Termamylá on a temperature scale of 25 ° C to 55 ° C. ° C, and at a pH value on a scale of 8 to 10, measured in accordance with the Phadebasá a-amylase activity test. 9. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the silicone softening agent is selected from the group consisting of: polydimethisiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxane and mixtures thereof. 10. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the silicone softening agent is a polydimethylsiloxane modified with polyalkylene oxide. 11. A liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the emulsifying agent is an emulsifying surfactant. 12. - A kit comprising: (a) a flexible wrapping container comprising: a flexible panel having a right edge, a left edge an upper edge and a lower edge; at least one strap and first fastening device attached to said strap to secure the wrapper container in a manner similar to a roll; a first fin attached to said first right edge of said flexible panel; and a second fin attached to said left edge of said flexible panel wherein said first and second fins overlap when folded over their respective edges.; (b) instructions for using the flexible wrapping container, the instructions are included in a container that includes the equipment; and (c) a liquid detergent composition suitable for washing and conditioning delicate fabrics comprising: i) an anionic surfactant ii) a quaternary ammonium surfactant, iii) a silicone softening agent; and iv) optionally, an emulsifying agent; wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants is from about 2: 1 to 3: 1 preferably from about 2.2: 1 about 2.8: 1. 13. The equipment according to claim 12, further characterized in that the equipment further comprises a washing pretreatment composition comprising surfactants, enzymes and water. 14. The equipment according to claim 12, further characterized in that the flexible envelope container at normal temperature and pressure has a density of more than about 1g / cm3. 15. Equipment according to claim 13, further characterized in that the washing pretreatment composition further comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of: detersive surfactants, enzymes, dye transfer inhibition polymers, soil release agents, builders, non-detersive surfactants, dispersant polymers, water, ethanol and mixtures thereof. 16. A method comprising the steps of (a) placing a garment inside a flexible wrapping container, the flexible wrapping container comprising: (i) a flexible panel constructed from material selected from the group consisting of woven polyester , woven nylon or a combination thereof; the flexible panel has a right edge, a left edge, an upper edge and a lower edge; (ii) at least two connection means located adjacent to the lower edge of the flexible panel for the purpose of attaching the flexible wrapper container to a second flexible wrapper container; (iii) a first and a second belt, each belt attached adjacent the upper edge of the flexible panel; and (v) a first clamping device that is fixed and permanently attached to the first or second belt, so that the position of the first clamping device on the belt does not change, and a second clamping device, attached to the first or second belt passing the belt through the second holding device in such a manner that when changing the position of the second holding device on the belt, the length of the belt may increase or decrease; b) placing the flexible wrapping container together with an effective amount of a liquid detergent composition suitable for washing and conditioning delicate fabrics inside a washing machine, wherein the detergent composition comprises: (i) an anionic surfactant; (ii) a quaternary ammonium surfactant agent, (iii) a silicone softening agent; and (iv) optionally an emulsifying agent; wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactants to the quaternary ammonium surfactants is about 2: 1 about 3: 1, preferably about 2.2: 1 about 2.8: 1; and c) operate the washing machine following the manufacturer's instructions. 17. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that before step (a), the method further comprises the steps of (i) applying a wash pretreatment composition directly to a spot, the spot being in contact with an absorbent material that covers a localized area of the garment that will be washed; (I) concurrently with step (i) applying a mechanical action to the stain by means of a washing pre-treatment applicator, in this way the stain is transferred to the absorbent material; and (iii) optionally, rinsing the wash pretreatment composition out of the localized area of the garment.SDI. 18. - A device according to claim 12, further characterized in that the silicone softening agent is a polydimethylsiloxane modified with polyalkylene ox 19. The process according to claim 16, further characterized in that the silicone softening agent is a polydimethylsiloxane modified with polyalkylene ox 20. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that an improved ironing efficiency of the garment results. 21. The method according to claim 20, further characterized in that a reduced wrinkling of the garment results. 22. The method according to claims 20 and 21, further characterized in that the garment is composed of silk fibers. 23. The liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a mannase enzyme.