CN1922352A - Washing and drying machine and how to use it - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating, cleaning or refreshing a fabric article. In particular, the apparatus is a dual mode apparatus capable of performing both washing and drying operations, wherein a lipophilic fluid is used in at least one step of the fabric treatment process within the apparatus. Kits containing replaceable/consumable components are also provided.

Description

Washing and drying machine and how to use it

field of invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating, cleaning or refreshing fabric articles. In particular, the device is a dual mode device capable of both washing and drying operations, wherein a lipophilic fluid is used in at least one step of the fabric treatment process within the device. Kits containing replaceable/consumable parts are also included.

Background of the invention

For cleaning of fabric products, consumers can choose between conventional immersion washing or dry cleaning.

Conventional laundry washing uses relatively large quantities of water and is typically performed in a washing machine in a consumer's home or in a specialized location such as a coin laundromat. Although washing machines and laundry detergents have become quite sophisticated, conventional laundering methods still carry the risk of dye transfer and shrinkage of fabric items. A substantial portion of fabric articles used by consumers are not suitable for cleaning by such conventional laundering methods. Even fabric items considered "machine washable" often wrinkle badly after laundering and therefore require ironing.

Most dry cleaning methods rely on non-aqueous solvents for cleaning. These methods minimize the risk of shrinkage and wrinkling by avoiding contact with water. These dry cleaning methods are not suitable for use in consumer homes due to the large amounts of solvents that need to be handled and recovered. This form of laundering is inconvenient and expensive for consumers due to the need for specialized dry cleaning operations.

Recently, a dry cleaning method using compressed gas such as supercritical carbon dioxide as a dry cleaning medium has been developed. Unfortunately, these methods have a number of disadvantages, such as the fact that they require high-pressure equipment.

Other dry cleaning methods utilizing non-solvents such as perfluorobutylamine have also been described recently. These methods also have a number of disadvantages, such as non-solvent fluids do not dissolve body scale adequately and are extremely expensive.

Accordingly, there is an unmet need for new devices, methods and compositions for cleaning or treating fabric articles that are safe for a wide range of fabric articles, minimize shrinkage and wrinkling, and Suitable for cost-effective use in consumer homes and/or in hospitality and commercial establishments.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to dual mode fabric treatment equipment comprising:

chambers for containing fabric articles;

a first reservoir for storing lipophilic fluid;

a second reservoir for storing a fabric finishing composition;

a dispensing device configured for dispensing a fabric finishing composition in droplets;

optional heating means for heating the chamber; and

an optional gas sensor for monitoring the lipophilic fluid vapor concentration in the chamber;

wherein the apparatus is configured for a fabric treatment operation comprising a wash cycle and a dry cycle; dispensing a lipophilic fluid into the chamber during the wash cycle; dispensing a fabric conditioning composition into the chamber by dispensing means during the dry cycle chamber, thus at least a portion of the dispensed composition contacts the fabric article within the chamber.

The present invention also relates to a method of treating fabric articles in a dual mode fabric treating apparatus of the present invention. The method includes the following steps:

placing the fabric article in the chamber;

dispensing a lipophilic fluid into the chamber such that the fabric article is in contact with the lipophilic fluid;

removing at least a portion of the lipophilic fluid from the chamber; and

dispensing the fabric finishing composition in the form of droplets into the chamber such that the fabric article is in contact with the fabric finishing composition;

wherein the fabric conditioning composition is dispensed into the chamber while the chamber is at a temperature of from about 20°C to about 80°C.

Kits containing replaceable/consumable parts are also available.

Figure overview

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cutaway side view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a front view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that embodiments are sometimes shown by graphical symbols, phantom lines, sketches and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to an understanding of the invention or that obscure other details may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

Detailed description of the invention

definition

As used herein, the term "fabric article" refers to any article that is normally cleaned by conventional laundering or dry cleaning methods. Thus, the term includes clothing, linens, drapes, apparel and floor coverings. The term also includes other articles made wholly or partly of fabric, such as tote bags, furniture covers, tarpaulins, and the like.

As used herein, the term "lipophilic fluid" refers to any non-aqueous solvent capable of removing sebum, as described in more detail below. "Lipophilic fluid" as defined herein generally excludes materials such as compressible gases such as carbon dioxide. The present lipophilic fluid is at least partially liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.

The phrase "dry weight of a fabric article" as used herein refers to the weight of the fabric article without the intentionally added weight of fluid.

As used herein, the phrase "absorbent capacity of a fabric article" means the maximum amount of fluid that can be collected by a fabric article and retained in its pores and interstices. The Absorbent Capacity of a Fabric Article is measured according to the following Test Protocol for Measuring Absorption Capacity of a Fabric Article.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and appended claims. All percentages, ratios and proportions stated herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise indicated. All measurements are in SI units unless otherwise indicated.

Absorbent Capacity Test Protocol for Fabric Products

Step 1: Rinse and dry the reservoir or other container into which the lipophilic fluid is to be added; clean the reservoir from any foreign matter, especially soaps, detergents and wetting agents.

Step 2: Weigh the "dry" fabric article to be tested to obtain the "dry" weight of the fabric article.

Step 3: Inject 2L of lipophilic fluid at ~20C into the reservoir.

Step 4: Place the fabric article from Step 2 into a reservoir of lipophilic fluid.

Step 5: Agitate the fabric article in the reservoir to ensure that no air pockets remain in the fabric article and that the fabric article is wetted with lipophilic fluid.

Step 6: The fabric article is removed from the lipophilic fluid reservoir.

Step 7: Spread the fabric article as desired so that there is no contact between the same or opposing surfaces of the fabric article.

Step 8: Allow the fabric article subjected to Step 7 to drip dry until the frequency of droplets does not exceed 1 drop/second.

Step 9: Weigh the "wet" fabric article from step 8 to obtain the "wet" weight of the fabric article.

Step 10: Calculate the amount of lipophilic fluid absorbed by the fabric article using the formula below.

                                          FA = (W-D) / D * 100

In the formula:

FA = Fluid Absorbed, % (ie, the % Absorbent Capacity of the fabric article expressed by dry weight of the fabric article)

W = wet sample weight, g

D = initial sample weight, g

The term "non-submerged" means that substantially all of the fluid is in intimate contact with the fabric article. No more than a minimum amount of "free" wash medium. This is different from the "immersion" method, where the wash fluid is a shower, into which the fabric items are either submerged as in a conventional vertical washing machine, or dropped in as in a conventional horizontal washing machine. The term "non-immersive" is defined in more detail in the following Test Protocol for Non-Immersive Processes. A method in which a fabric article is in contact with a fluid is a non-immersion method when the test protocol below is met.

Non-immersion method testing protocol

Step 1: Determine the absorbent capacity of the fabric sample using the Absorbent Capacity Testing Protocol for Fabric Articles above.

Step 2: Subjecting the fabric article to a fluid contact process whereby a quantity of fluid contacts the fabric article.

Step 3: Place the dry fabric sample from step 1 next to the fabric article from step 2 and move/stir/turn the fabric article and fabric sample to transfer fluid from the fabric article to the fabric sample (fabric article and fabric sample) samples should reach the same saturation content).

Step 4: Weigh the fabric sample from Step 3.

Step 5: Calculate the fluid absorbed by the fabric sample using the following formula:

                                                 

In the formula:

FA = fluid absorbed, %

W = wet sample weight, g

D = initial sample weight, g

Step 6: Compare the fluid absorbed by the fabric sample to the absorbent capacity of the fabric sample. The method is non-submerged if the fabric sample absorbs less than about 0.8 of the fabric sample's absorbent capacity of fluid.

The lipophilic fluid may be used alone, or with optional liquids such as water and/or polar solvents, and/or any of the compositions described later herein to form a fabric treatment medium for a fabric treatment process and/or or washing liquid. It should be understood that fabric treatment includes cleaning, conditioning, sizing and refreshing. Lipophilic fluids typically comprise at least about 50% by weight of the fabric treatment medium of the fabric treatment medium. In one embodiment the fabric treatment medium comprises less than about 30% or less than about 10% water by weight of water.

In the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is not recommended to wash or treat wetted fabric articles. However, most fabric articles contain varying amounts of moisture absorbed from the air or from contact with the wearer. Such articles, as well as occasional water-wet articles such as swimwear, can be treated with the apparatus and methods of the present invention.

equipment

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out a fabric treatment process in accordance with the present invention. This and other embodiments of an apparatus for carrying out a fabric treatment process according to the invention are detailed in WO 01/94675 (P&G Docket No. 8119M).

The device 70 comprises a chamber 1 capable of containing a fabric article to be treated and a cleaning fluid comprising a lipophilic fluid, wherein when the fabric article to be treated is placed in the chamber and the cleaning fluid comprising a lipophilic fluid is introduced into the fabric treatment When in chamber 1, chamber 1 holds lipophilic fluid in an amount up to the absorbent capacity of the fabric contained therein. Furthermore, chamber 1 may be a lipophilic fluid permeable chamber.

The device 70 also comprises an outer chamber 2 capable of containing lipophilic fluid from the fabric treatment chamber 1 without being held in said fabric treatment chamber. The outer chamber 2 is configured to cover the chamber 1 . The outer chamber 2 typically includes an outlet or drain 7 through which lipophilic fluid contained in the outer chamber 2 exits the outer chamber 2 . The rate of drainage of the lipophilic fluid from the outer chamber 2 is desirably such that the amount of lipophilic fluid within the fabric treatment chamber 1 does not exceed the absorbent capacity of the fabric contained within the fabric article treatment chamber 1 .

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , chamber 1 and outer chamber 2 are of cylindrical configuration and have a horizontal inlet 58 . The horizontal centerline of the outer chamber, which is typically stationary relative to the chamber 1 , coincides with the axis of rotation 100 of the active chamber 1 , which is movably mounted within the outer chamber 2 . In general the chamber 1 may have any suitable perforation or opening pattern and is designed according to design principles to maximize the flow of fluid through its perforated surfaces without impairing it to an unacceptable degree. The chamber 1 is designed to remain sufficiently rigid when rotating at high speeds in the presence of a load of fabric articles containing lipophilic fluids. Chamber 1 may contain stiffening elements, such as struts (not shown), and has a back, not visible in Figure 1 , which is typically flat and may or may not be perforated. The device is configured to preferably direct the lipophilic fluid towards the lipophilic fluid permeable surface of the chamber 1 rather than the back of the chamber 1 .

As illustrated more clearly in the sectional view of Figure 2, the outer chamber 2 comprises a peripheral wall 62, a rear wall 63 secured to one edge of the peripheral wall, a front wall 64 secured to the opposite edge of the peripheral wall; A tubular extension 55 having an inlet 58 for loading and unloading the appliance 70 with laundry. This flexible tubular extension 55 connecting the stationary drum 2 minimizes the transmission of vibrations generated during machine operation. The inlet 58 forms an air seal with a front door 59 secured to the front wall 56 of the washing machine cabinet near its outermost perimeter. The front door 59 may optionally include additional components to ensure a good seal, such as rubber, elastomer or elastomeric sealing material formed into any suitable shape to ensure a seal. When the fabric treating appliance 70 is in operation, the access door 59 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 2 and forms an "airtight" seal against the outermost portion of the flexible tubular extension 55 . The quality of the seal should be sufficient to tolerate overpressure or decompression within the unit, but not necessarily of the quality required for extreme pressures, such as supercritical carbon dioxide operation. These latter elements are only illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 2 to ensure the clearest outline of the remaining figures.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the external chamber 2 is supported by four suspension springs 47 (only two are shown), one end of the spring is connected to the uppermost part of the external chamber 2, and the other end is fixed to the fabric treatment equipment cabinet . The top spring 47a is connected to a load cell 48 that interfaces with the controller. In device variants not shown, any desirable high speed suspension, load balancing or stabilizing system, for example of the type known or disclosed for modern European front load washing machines, may be suitable for use in the apparatus of the invention.

In one embodiment, the chamber 1 comprises a lipophilic fluid permeable (e.g., perforated) peripheral wall 65, a substantially non-porous rear wall 66 secured to said peripheral wall, and a rear wall 66 secured to said peripheral wall. The substantially imperforate front wall 67 on the opposite side. The front wall 67 has a tubular extension 55 containing an inlet 58 for loading and unloading laundry into the fabric treatment appliance 70 , concentrically aligned with the inlet 58 in the outer chamber 2 . Equally spaced on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall 65 are three lifting vanes 60 having a substantially triangular or other shaped cross-section. In a specific embodiment, each vane is symmetrical in shape around a radially extending line generated at the axis of rotation 100 of the chamber 1 and through its height. This enables counter rotation of the chamber 1 to have an equal lifting effect on the articles to be washed. It should be understood and appreciated that most conventional washers do not have lift vanes, whereas tumble dryers have lift vanes that are designed for low speed and/or one-way "tumble" operation. Additionally, the chamber 1 may include baffles or other structures along its interior surface to facilitate reconfiguration of the fabric contained therein.

The chamber 1 is rotatably fixed to the outer chamber 2 by means of a transmission shaft 49 . The power of the rotating chamber 1 is transmitted through the driven wheel 50 mounted concentrically. The transmission system comprises a variable speed drive motor 54 fixed to a peripheral wall 62 of the outer chamber 2 . Any movement of the outer chamber 2 does not affect the rotational speed of the chamber 1 . The output shaft 53 of the drive motor 54 has a fixed transmission wheel 52 . Drive pulley 52 is connected to driven pulley 50 by conventional drive belt 51 . A possible alternative drive system not shown in the figures has two drive wheels instead of a single drive wheel 52, one mounted eccentrically and the other concentrically. In this alternative drive system, the power to the rotating chamber 1 may be transmitted to the outer portion of the drive shaft 49 by means of an eccentrically mounted drive wheel or by a concentrically mounted drive wheel, both of which are fixed in fixed relation to the drive shaft 49. on axis. An eccentrically mounted transmission wheel will be used to vary the rotational speed of the chamber 1 per revolution, while a concentrically mounted transmission wheel will be used to drive the chamber 1 at a fixed rotational speed per revolution.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive motor 54 is not only variable speed, but also reversed so that the chamber 1 rotates first in one direction and then reversed during a particular portion of the wash cycle. Reversing the direction of rotation of the chamber several times during the fluid application/removal phase provides more uniform agitation and more uniform heat transfer to the treated fabric article, thus allowing for more effective removal of soil and/or lipophilic fluid.

At least one of the large storage tanks 19 and 20 will contain the lipophilic fluid; the other large storage tank can contain a mixture of the lipophilic fluid and a detergent composition or fabric conditioning composition which can be applied to the On the fabric article in the apparatus 70. In another embodiment, the composition may be combined with a lipophilic fluid prior to application to fabric articles within apparatus 70 during fabric treatment. These compositions can be in any readily dispensable or flowable form, such as thixotropic gels, shear thinning liquids, liquids, gels, powders, granules, pastes, flakes, microparticles, nanoparticles, suspensions, and the like. In another embodiment, both large storage tanks 19 and 20 will contain lipophilic fluid, with one tank containing new lipophilic fluid and the other tank containing used or recycled lipophilic fluid. In another embodiment, the composition is stored in one or both of large storage tanks 19 and 20 together with the lipophilic fluid. This may eliminate the need for any mixing of the contents of the canister prior to delivery via the applicator 26 into the chamber 1 . Alternatively, lipophilic fluid from large storage tanks 19 and 20 may be mixed with detergent or fabric conditioning compositions stored in small storage tanks 27 and 28, such as discrete fluids applied to device 70 during fabric treatment. before the fabric load is applied. Optionally, additional storage tanks or sources may be included within apparatus 70 to provide fluids (including lipophilic fluids, water, or other polar solvents such as lower alcohols or glycols) for a wash or rinse cycle. A dual mode fabric treatment process employing lipophilic fluids, water, polar solvents or mixtures thereof is disclosed in WO 01/94678 (P&G Case No. 8121).

In one embodiment, large storage tanks 19 and 20 and small storage tanks 27 and 28 are optionally detachable from apparatus 70 . The storage tank with its contents can then be recovered or refilled and reconnected to the device. Various known "quick connect" devices (not shown) are known in the art and may be used to ensure quick or easy disconnection or connection of storage tanks. In a specific embodiment, each storage tank includes a physical configuration that enables it to be attached and disconnected from device 70 in a "lock and key" manner. In other words, each storage tank selectively mates with a targeted "receptacle" or receptacle of device 70 . This "lock and key" system is useful when the storage tank contains consumables such as washing or fabric conditioning compositions. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more storage tanks may be replaceable or disposable cartridges. In another embodiment, the large storage tank can be permanently attached to the equipment, or can only be replaced by trained maintenance personnel, while the small storage tank can be sold individually or as part of a kit, replaceable by the consumer cartridge; the kit may optionally include instructions for use, such as disassembly instructions for emptying the storage tank and installation instructions for filling a new storage tank with the desired liquid and/or composition. In permanently connected mode, the contents of the large storage tank can be periodically replenished or drained and replaced with a new liquid or composition of the same or a different type. In the detachable or replaceable mode, once the contents of the storage tank are partially or completely consumed, the storage tank is removed with its used/dirty contents or its empty contents and is equipped with a similar "lock key” and contain a new storage tank with the same or different desired contents than the previous contents. Replaced storage tanks are either disposed of by the consumer, or recycled for refill by a third party, such as a retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer. The number of large and small storage tanks can vary depending on the desired benefit. Any large or small storage tanks permanently affixed to the device will have means for refilling with the desired fluid and/or composition (eg, a pierceable seal or a resealable closure).

In one embodiment, the desired fluid and/or composition is delivered into applicator 26 by pumping with pump 24 . Fluid and/or compositions stored in large storage tanks 19 and 20 are pumped from conduits 22 and 21 respectively, first through valve 23, then through pump 24, and finally via conduit 25 to applicator 26. Fluid and/or composition stored in small storage tanks 27 and 28 are pumped from conduits 29 and 30 respectively, first through valve 23, then through pump 24, and finally via conduit 25 to applicator 26. Various types of pumps can be used with the present invention, including gear pumps, centrifugal pumps, diaphragm pumps, plunger pumps, or peristaltic pumps. Gear pumps are used because they typically generate higher pressures than any other type of pump, and because they generate the pulsation-free flow required for a good spray pattern. Other fluid transfer components may also be used, such as an air compressor that pushes fluid out of the storage tank by applying pressure to the upper portion of the storage tank. In one embodiment, a gear pump 24 capable of providing a maximum flow rate of about 0.5 GPM (about 1.87 liters/minute) and a maximum pressure of about 758 kPa (110 psi) is used to transfer the fluid through a flexible delivery conduit 25 of 6 mm ( ^1/4 _" ) diameter. And/or the composition is delivered to applicator 26.

The fluids and/or compositions stored in both the large storage tanks 19 and 20 and the small storage tanks 27 and 28 are mixed by opening valves in the 4-in 1-out valve manifold 23 corresponding to connections to the and/or the conduit of the corresponding storage tank of the composition. For example, the lipophilic fluid stored in bulk storage tank 19 may be mixed with the composition stored in bulk storage tank 20 via valve manifold 23 . Alternatively, lipophilic fluid stored in large storage tank 19 may be mixed with compositions stored in small storage tanks 27 and 28 via valve manifold 23 . In another embodiment, the fluids and/or compositions are delivered separately, ie, not premixed.

To introduce fluid into the interior of the chamber 1 , a pump 24 is connected via a conduit 25 to an applicator 26 . Applicator 26 may be of any suitable configuration. In one embodiment, applicator 26 is configured to deliver a flat fan spray and/or a conical fan spray. Flat fan sprays produce sheets of fluid parallel to the major axis of the orifice. The spray is in the shape of a fan with an angle of about 75□, and the cross section is ellipse. The special flat fan spray is useful because it produces droplets large enough not to be disturbed by the circulating air flow during the washing and/or drying cycle due to the rotating or tumbling motion of the chamber 1 or due to the The air flow generated by the cyclic ventilation operation is carried away.

Spray nozzles typically provide an average droplet size of less than about 1200 microns, typically from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns, or from about 120 microns to about 500 microns, or from about 150 microns to about 300 microns. This average droplet size can be determined by Malvern particle analyzer or high speed photography. The spray pattern is typically disturbed by air movement within the chamber 1 when the spray nozzle is covered with a fine mesh or membrane to produce a finer droplet mist with an average particle size of less than 100 microns. The higher the speed of rotation of the chamber 1, typically over 735m/ ^s2 , the larger the droplets required within the spray pattern.

The pressure in the delivery conduit 25 should be high enough to produce a substantially flat fan-shaped spray of fluid through the applicator 26 to cover the entire depth of the chamber 1 . The appropriate pressure within delivery conduit 25 will vary depending on the fluid passing through delivery conduit 25 to applicator 26 . For example, pastes typically require different pressures than thixotropic gels or liquids. Similarly, a lipophilic fluid mixed with a composition may require a different pressure than a lipophilic fluid without any composition. By adjusting the spray pressure, and optionally by changing the temperature with a heater, the device of the present invention is capable of applying all types of fluids, gels and other substances, including Newtonian and non-Newtonian, shear thinning and non-shear thinning Fluids, multiphase mixtures, emulsions, microemulsions and dynamically changing emulsion systems.

In one embodiment, the lipophilic fluid is delivered through a plurality of spray nozzles; each spray nozzle is positioned such that the lipophilic fluid sprayed from the plurality of spray nozzles is in such a way as to distribute the fluid evenly on the fabric article being treated . In another embodiment, one nozzle of the device delivers lipophilic fluid while the other nozzle delivers rinse fluid, washing composition and/or fabric conditioning composition. These other spray nozzles may be operated during any suitable cycle in the fabric treatment process, such as washing, rinsing, spinning or drying, and may occur sequentially or simultaneously with the application and/or removal of the lipophilic fluid.

In an alternative embodiment, lipophilic fluid is pumped into chamber 1 at a rate of about 1 to about 20 liters/minute, or about 1 to about 10 liters/minute, or about 2 to 5 liters/minute , not a spray.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, pump 24 and valve 23 may be located below storage tanks 19, 20, 28 and 27 to provide gravity actuation.

Fig. 2 shows the internal configuration of the applicator 26, which serves as the spray nozzle in the following embodiments. The applicator 26 shown in FIG. 2 is parallel to the axis of rotation 100 of the chamber 1 . In another embodiment, the applicator 26 is located on the axis of rotation 100 of the chamber 1 . The applicator 26 is supported by a spray boom 57 secured to a front door 59 . The fluid is delivered to the nozzle 26 through a delivery tube 61 connecting the fluid delivery conduit 25 to the nozzle 26 . The applicator 26 is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation 100 so that it can direct a flat fan-shaped spray impinging on the peripheral wall 65 , the front wall 67 and the rear wall 66 of the chamber 1 . The spray boom 57 allows spraying onto the front wall of the chamber 1 without any garments in the discrete fabric items being wrapped around the spray boom 57 during the rolling cycle, thereby inhibiting or possibly even preventing effective cleaning of the discrete fabric items.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated in Figure 2, the applicator 26 may be secured directly to the flexible tubular extension 55, eliminating the need for the spray boom 57 and delivery tube 61. Accordingly, the applicator 26 can be directly connected to the fluid delivery conduit 25 . The applicator 26 may be positioned on the flexible tubular extension 55 in such a way as to allow the applicator to direct a planar fan-shaped spray against the peripheral wall 65 , front wall 67 and rear wall 66 of the chamber 1 . Different positions and/or configurations of the applicator 26 and/or spray boom 57 are also suitable as long as the applicator nozzle or nozzles are not located in a place during the operating cycle (e.g., rolling cycle) where The fabric article in the chamber is entangled with or wrapped around the spray boom 57, the applicator 26, or any other structure associated with the applicator 26. In one embodiment of the invention, the location and/or configuration of the applicator 26 (in the form of a spray nozzle or a plurality of such nozzles) is selected such that the applicator 26 directs a flat fan spray preferably permeable to the impingement fluid. Peripheral wall 65, and optionally preferably also impacts front wall 67 and/or rear wall 66.

Spray nozzles suitable for use in the present invention are rated to deliver about 1.87 liters per minute (0.5 gallons per minute) at a fluid pressure of about 275 kPa (40 psi), a maximum pressure of about 690 kPa (100 psi), and form an 80° spray angle.

In a non-submersible embodiment of the invention, the accumulation of fluid on the bottom of the inner surface of the outer chamber 2 is insufficient to form a shower that submerges the fabric articles as they are removed by the pump 3 through the valve 5 and conduit 7 . Pump 3 can pump lint or particulate matter without clogging and can run dry for long periods of time without damage. Centrifugal pumps and gear pumps are suitable pumps for the present invention. Centrifugal pumps are useful because they have large moving parts (propellers or impellers) that are not easily clogged by insoluble solids, and do not contain any friction parts that could fail due to wear. The pump 3 is located below the outer chamber 2 to provide gravity actuation. In order to ensure good pumping, it is necessary to basically remove the air in the conduit 7 . Thus, the length of the conduit 7 can be minimized to reduce the amount of fluid required to displace the air within the conduit 7 . In a particular non-submersible embodiment, the liquid level at the bottom of the outer chamber 2 is lower than the level of the bottom of the chamber 1 so that the liquid level in the chamber 1 does not rise to the level where the fabric article in the submerged chamber 1 is submerged. In a particular submerged embodiment, the pump 3 can be left idle, allowing fluid to build up so that excess fluid within the chamber 1 can rise to a level where the fabric article is submerged therein.

Due to the force of gravity, the fluid discharged from the chamber 1 can pass through the perforation 46 of the chamber 1, and the force of gravity pulls the liquid down the outer surface of the chamber 1 until they reach the bottom (i.e., the lowest point) of the outer surface of the chamber 1, passing through The perforation in the chamber wall then reaches the bottom of the inner surface of the outer chamber 2 . The conduit 7 is located at the bottom (ie the lowest point). The inner surface of the outer chamber is designed to direct all fluid/droplets into the conduit 7 . Fluid in conduit 7, as well as those from conduit 37 (described in more detail below), then flows into filter 6 and recovery tank 8 through pump 3, which has a maximum pressure of 3 gallons per minute and 345 kPa (50 psi). maximum power rating. Delivery _catheter 7 typically has a diameter of 127 mm ( ^1/2 ").

The fluid is filtered in a filter 6 after passing through the three-way valve 5 before being delivered to the recovery tank 8 . In its first position, valve 5 connects conduits 4 and 7 , allowing pump 3 to pump fluid through filter 6 into return tank 8 . In its second position, valve 5 allows fluid to be pumped from conduit 37 into conduit 4 . In its third position, valve 5 is closed. The filter 6 removes lint, fabric fibers and large particles of dirt so they do not settle at the bottom of the recovery tank 8 and block downstream conduits. Furthermore, the filter 6 ensures reliable operation of the pump 10, as the pump 10 is typically a high pressure pump, which is generally the type that is more easily damaged by solid and particulate matter. Furthermore, the filter 6 will prolong the life of the recovery system 15 . Filter 6 may be any conventional filter and includes, but is not limited to, a Fulfo ^(R) basket filter or a pleated filter, such as a US mesh 20 to 100 (840 micron to 149 micron screen) cartridge filter such as Filters manufactured by ParkerFiltration. In one embodiment, the filter 6 may be periodically removed from the device for cleaning, such as to remove lint, fabric fibers and large particles of dirt, and the cleaned filter reinstalled on the device. In another embodiment, the filter 6 can be replaced with a new, identical but unused filter, while the used filter can be discarded or recovered by a third party for resale and reuse. In another embodiment, filter 6 may be self-cleaning. The removed lint and large particles of dirt can then be disposed of in a household waste bag or taken to a collection point for disposal.

The recovery tank 8 is used to separate the fluids. Fluid from chamber 1 is collected in recovery tank 8 . Typically, a sufficient amount of fluid is collected in the return tank 8 prior to further processing of the fluid collected therein. The liquid return tank 8 is equipped with liquid level sensors 44 , such as conductive, capacitive or optical sensors distributed along the inner wall of the recovery tank 8 at suitable positions, to determine when to start emptying the liquid return tank 8 . This sensor is connected to a controller described later.

Recovery tank 8 performs gravity separation or any other type of separation to separate the different fluids and any suspended solids present. These solids will typically be soils that are removed from the fabric by the washing process. In this case, when fluids of different densities are used, they will separate due to gravity within the recovery tank 8 and can be subsequently removed. In such a case, the fluid at the bottom will first be pumped by pump 10 , conduit 11 , through three-way valve 12 and conduit 14 into recovery system 15 and conduit 16 . Then, depending on where the particular fluid was originally stored, such as in storage tank 19 , two valve groups direct the bottom fluid into conduit 18 . After all bottom fluid has been removed from recovery tank 8 and the phase separated flow reaches valve 17, valve 17 is opened and closes conduit 18 to deliver top fluid into storage tank 20, valve 17 is equipped with a sensor for distinguishing fluid, Examples are conductive, capacitive or optical sensors. If needed or desired, the present invention can also employ specially designed adjuvants to aid in the breakdown of the emulsion, thus providing additional assistance to the separation operation.

Valve 12 has two positions. In its first position, valve 12 connects conduits 11 and 13 , allowing the contents of recovery tank 8 to be drained. Conduit 13 may be a guide pipe connected to a domestic sewer or a freestanding fluid separation container (not shown). In its second position, valve 12 connects conduits 11 and 14 to introduce fluid into recovery system 15 .

Pump 10 generates relatively high pressure, typically 69 kPa to 689 kPa (10 psi to 100 psi), to push dirty fluid through recovery system 15 . Recovery system 15 removes fine dirt particles through fine filtration/separation components such as molecular sieves and has components to separate out dissolved non-cleaning fluid components such as dirt, surfactants and water. One possible method of removing contaminants from solvents is to employ an electrostatic fluid filtration system such as that described in US Patent 5,958,205, issued September 28, 1999 to Ingalls et al. Other possible methods of removing contaminants are to employ, for example, valve evaporation technology or the PACE ultrafiltration system manufactured by Smith and Loveless Inc. In one embodiment, recovery system 15 may be periodically disassembled in order to remove collected dissolved non-cleaning fluid components. In another embodiment, the recovery system 15 can be replaced with an unused, identical, new recovery system 15, and the replaced recovery system 15 is discarded or recovered by a third party for resale and reuse. In another embodiment, recovery system 15 may be self-cleaning. The collected dissolved non-cleaning fluid components may then be disposed of either by draining to a household drain or by collecting in a separate location where it is convenient for the consumer to dispose of the collected dissolved non-cleaning fluid components.

In one embodiment, the fluid is fed into the recovery system 15 by a pump 10 having a maximum rated capacity of 2.8 liters per minute at a maximum pressure of 1724 kPa (250 psi) through stainless steel transfer conduits 11 and 14 having a diameter of 6 mm ( ^1/4 _" ) middle.

Components other than fine filtration/separation may also be employed in the recovery system 15 to separate dissolved non-cleaning fluid components from the fluid. An exemplary alternative system is one in which recovery system 15 comprises a distillation system. Suitable distillation systems include the distillation solvent recovery system described in US Patent 5,876,567, issued March 2, 1999 to Yamamoto et al. When the recovery system 15 is a distillation system, the pump 10 need not be a high pressure pump, as higher pressures are typically not required. However, the higher cost of distillation or vacuum equipment hinders the application of such recovery systems.

Of course, it should be understood that this depends on the intended use of the device. For example, a service or commercial operation will be able to afford a higher priced distillation or vacuum unit, while other simpler, more convenient or less expensive recovery systems are most popular and affordable for home use.

Fluid valves 12, 5, 7 and 23 are actuated by electromagnets, or by ball valve motors similar to those known in the art.

The apparatus 70 shown in Figures 1 to 3 typically includes an air circulation system. The air circulation system includes a suction fan 31 and an air supply pipe 32 connecting the suction fan to a heater 33 . The heater 33 may be an electric heater comprising a heating element over which the air should pass before entering the connecting duct 34 which conveys the heated air from the heater 33 to an inlet located in the appliance door 59 . Alternatively, air may enter the inner drum through openings in the rear wall of the outer drum 63 and the rear wall of the inner drum 66 . This latter arrangement is typical for arrangements in conventional tumble dryers, and the location of the connecting pipes will be readily apparent. Typically, the blower 31 is a centrifugal blower driven by a variable speed drive motor. A suitable heating element is a resistive coil, the temperature of which is adjusted by adjusting the coil voltage. Alternative heating elements may also be employed, such as sources of infrared radiation or microwave radiation. In an alternative embodiment, air may be supplemented by steam, since steam provides some or all of the hot gas, so the use of hot air becomes optional.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), the air may be ionized, such as by corona discharge, prior to contact with the fabric article.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), ozone may be added to the air prior to contact with the fabric article. Alternatively, ozone can be added to chamber 1 through a duct system separate from the air circulation system.

In the embodiment disclosed in Figure 2, hot air is introduced into the interior of the chamber 1 to remove residual fluid from the articles being cleaned. During the drying cycle, the chamber 1 rotates at varying speeds and directions. Since the product being dried during the drying cycle is usually located at or near the innermost surface of the peripheral surface of the chamber 1, the hot air introduced into the interior of the movable drum is passed back to the duct 35 located on the peripheral surface of the stationary drum. The openings pass through the fabric being dried.

In the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3, the air circulation extractor 31 used to circulate the air during the drying and evaporation process cycle has a rating of 272m ³ /hr (160cfm) and an outlet velocity of 27.9m/s (5500lfm). power. Typically, domestic appliances, ie appliances designed for use in a home or the like, will have an air flow of about 15 L/s (35 cfm) to about 272 L/s (160 cfm). Commercial and industrial scale equipment rises to about 1200L/s (2542cfm). The connecting ducts used to form the circulation loop are sized to circulate air at the rated flow rate. The heater 33 includes a heating element 33 comprising a 115 VAC, 2300 watt, helically wound nickel chromium coil. The temperature sensing element 45 includes a thermistor inserted into the conduit 34 . A voltage-regulated 0 to 120 VAC rheostat is used to adjust the speed of the variable speed motor of the blower 31 and the temperature of the heating element 33 .

In an alternative embodiment, gases such as air, nitrogen, ozone, argon, helium, neon, xenon, and mixtures thereof are introduced into the interior of the inner chamber 1 to Remove particulate dirt from fabrics before. Optionally, these gases can be heated. During this optional pre-treatment cycle, the inner chamber 1 rotates at varying speed and direction. See US Patent 6,564,591 for a more detailed disclosure of apparatus, components, elements and examples of this optional pretreatment step.

Conduit 35 is connected to condenser 36 . Condenser 36 removes all vapor and insoluble solids picked up by the hot air from the fabric being dried, leaving conduit 38 free of vapors other than air. Condenser 36 filters and cools the moving air to condense vapor into conduit 37 . The steam condensed in conduit 37 then passes through three-way valve 5 where it mixes with the fluid removed from outer chamber 2 and passed through conduit 7 . As disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,807,948 issued April 30, 1974 to Moore, U.S. Patent 4,086,705 issued May 2, 1978 to Wehr, and U.S. Patent 4,769,921 issued September 13, 1988 to Kabakov et al. The water-cooled condenser or refrigeration condenser mentioned above are applicable. A condenser may also be attached to a cartridge of absorbent such as one or more layers of molecular sieve or activated carbon to collect non-condensable organic solvent. Examples of such absorbent devices are described in the following U.S. Patents: 3,955,946 issued May 11, 1976 to Fuhring et al; 3,883,325 issued May 13, 1975 to Fuhring et al; 4,440,549 issued to Girard et al; 4,583,985 issued to Preisegger on April 22, 1986; 4,788,776 issued to Fuhring et al on December 6, 1988; 4,622,039 issued to Merenda on November 11, 1986; and 5,277,716 issued Jan. 11, 1994 to Boppart et al. The absorbent is absorbed by passing it over a "blanket" of steam passing through the bed. Other solvent recovery systems are described in the following US Patents: 5,467,539 issued November 21, 1995 to Hahn and 5,195,252 issued March 23, 1993 to Yamada et al.

In another embodiment, to prevent the removal of lipophilic fluid vapors from the device, they are brought into contact with an additional filter element or cartridge containing a catalyst; the filter element may be supplemented or supported by a porous material, or alternatively, the filter element or The filter cartridge contains at least one high-efficiency chemical or physical absorbent. Such systems reduce the vapor pressure substantially to zero and, for example, even polymerize and/or solidify one or more components of the lipophilic fluid. For example, and more specifically, suitable catalytic converter cartridges may include porous materials or supports and the catalysts they support. Such catalysts may include any known ring-opening polymerization catalysts for cyclic siloxanes; including, but not limited to, phosphazene or phosphazene-based catalysts; hindered amine-based catalysts; electron-deficient silane catalysts; sulfonium or iodonium derivatives; Alkali metal silanolates; platinum, rhodium, and cobalt hydrosilation catalysts; SiH-containing cocatalysts; lithium and potassium silanolates. The catalysts can be modified in any way, such as by clathration, absorption on supports, etc., so that they have no or very low intrinsic volatility and good stability over their service life. Exemplary supports include those with high void volume and low resistance to flow. The support may be of the same type or of a different type, for example comprising primary support materials such as mesoporous silica etc. fixed to a mechanical support structure such as a synthetic plastic.

It should be understood and appreciated that this aspect of the invention can be used independently and safely to control emissions in any application, including submerged and non-submersible methods of cleaning any material, whether it is a fabric item or Hard surfaces, especially where linear or cyclic siloxanes are part of the solvent system.

The combination of ring-opening polymerization catalysts and the storage capacity of high void volume porous materials such as mesoporous silica can remove lipophilic fluids and prevent any emission to the outside air. Periodically, the filter cartridge can be removed for disposal or replaced with a new filter cartridge, or alternatively, removal of polymerized lipophilic fluid, and optionally, regeneration of the catalyst for reuse.

Apparatus 70 can also remove residual fluid in the same manner as conventional clothes drying apparatus. This is achieved by actuating reversing valve 40 into its first position connecting conduit 43 to conduit 41 and conduit 38 to conduit 42 . In its second position, the reversing valve 40 allows fresh air to be sucked into the connecting duct 43 through the connecting duct 41, and enters the inlet of the exhaust fan 31, heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 33, and is contained in the active chamber 1 The fabric to be dried inside is circulated, steam picked up during contact with the fabric is removed, and exhausted to the atmosphere via conduit 42. When steam is vented to atmosphere via conduit 42, it is preferred to treat the steam in such a way that only air, water vapor and the like are vented to atmosphere via conduit 42. This may include passing steam through a scrub or cartridge comprising a supported catalyst as disclosed herein above. Catalysts may include polymerization catalysts that polymerize lipophilic fluids to form solid polymers that will be deposited on the support. Cartridges allow easy passage of air, water vapor and similar substances while retaining vapors such as lipophilic fluids. Periodically, the filter cartridge can be removed for disposal or replaced with a new filter cartridge, or alternatively, removal of polymerized lipophilic fluid, and regeneration of the catalyst for reuse.

In its second position, the connecting ducts 43 and 42 are blocked and all the mixture of steam and air returning from the static chamber 1 is returned to the suction side of the suction fan 31 via the connecting duct 41 . In this position, the device 70 can also be used for the steaming of fabrics by recirculating hot air through the inner chamber 1 containing the fabrics which have been in contact with the lipophilic fluid.

The temperature of the air in the connecting conduit 34 is sensed by a sensing element 45, which may be a thermistor type sensor, which sends a signal to the heater. This assures continuous monitoring of the hot air, air/ozone, air/steam or air/ozone/steam mixture temperature during any cycle and can be maintained at a predetermined level or varied depending on the current cleaning cycle of the device 70. which stage. For example, one temperature may be used for pretreatment while another temperature is used to aid in the removal of lipophilic fluids.

The reversing valve 40 can be driven automatically. This can be accomplished using electromagnets or similar actuation devices known in the art.

The connecting conduit 35 is equipped with a gas sensor to monitor the vapor concentration in the air flow at the outlet of the static chamber 2 . The gas sensor sends a signal proportional to the vapor concentration to the mechanical controller. Depending on the magnitude of the signal, the controller can continue, stop or select a new cycle. The gas sensor may be of the metal oxide type, but other alternative sensors based on infrared, capacitive or conductive sensing may also be employed. In a specific embodiment, when at some point in the drying cycle, the gas sensor signal reaches a certain minimum value indicating a low level of steam at the outlet, the controller stops the heating cycle by turning off the heater 33 and uses a cooling cycle to complete the drying cycle. continue.

Additional gas sensors may be included in the apparatus to monitor the solvent vapor concentration in the chamber 1, especially during the drying cycle. A gas sensor can be operatively connected to the controller. When the gas sensor detects a solvent vapor concentration above a threshold, the controller can temporarily interrupt the drying cycle by turning off the heat, increasing the air flow, or both. When the gas sensor detects that the solvent vapor concentration has dropped below a minimum level, the controller signals to the user that it is safe to open the device to remove the fabric article.

In another embodiment, the weight of the fabric articles and lipophilic fluid on them and any composition is measured by the load characteristics of the electric motor 54, such as the voltage across the motor terminals. In another embodiment, the system of devices for determining the loading of the fabric articles in the chamber 1 and the lipophilic fluid on them and any composition comprises the ability to derive from the transmission torque of the chamber 1, the frictional torque of the chamber 1, The data relating the moment of inertia of the chamber and the acceleration of the chamber determine the system of moments of inertia of the mass of the textile articles in the chamber 1 and the lipophilic fluid on them and any composition loads.

The imbalance control of the device is incorporated by monitoring the current signal proportional to the current drop of the motor 54 . As the chamber 1 is accelerated, changes in this current signal reflect the torque required to rotate the chamber 1 . The magnitude of the change is proportional to the unbalanced load causing the machine to vibrate excessively. When the magnitude of the unbalance signal exceeds the maximum allowable value, the machine controller executes a rebalance cycle by reducing the rotational speed, reorganizing the fabric load in tumble and reaccelerating to the set rotational speed. Alternatives to sense the unbalanced state may be tachometers or static switches.

In alternative embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention may optionally be operated at reduced or elevated pressure, typically by means of a vacuum pump or feeding a gas such as nitrogen to the apparatus thereby increasing the pressure within the wash chamber. Such embodiments may even include modifications to equipment designed for supercritical or dense gas cleaning.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device 70 . The device 70 has a front panel 71 , two side panels 72 (only one of which is shown) and a top panel 73 . The door 59 includes a spray nozzle cover 76 covering the conduit 25 that delivers fluid to the spray head 26 , a gas cover 77 that covers the conduit 33 that supplies gas to the chamber 1 via the connecting conduit 34 , and a handle 75 . Door 59 may be made of any suitable material, and at least a portion of door 59 may be light-tight to allow an operator to view the equipment in operation.

Device controls 81 are also on the front sheet 71 . The plant controller 81 is responsible for timing and sequencing the various process steps involved in using the plant. For example, the device controller 81 controls the amount of lipophilic fluid delivered to the fabric article, the speed at which the drum rotates, the time the fabric article is tumbled, and the like. The appliance controller 81 also allows direct customer/operator input of relevant information regarding the fabric items being cleaned and/or the type of cleaning desired.

An access door 80 is also located on the front panel 71 . Access door 81 provides operator/customer access to the inner workings of the equipment to remove or replace any consumable items such as filters, fluids and auxiliaries etc. More specifically, access door 81 provides access to small storage tanks 27 and 28 and large storage tanks 19 and 20 for refilling, removal and replacement if they are replaceable. Access door 81 also provides easy access to any components requiring maintenance or repair.

Panels 78 and 79 provide operator/customer access for easy removal, cleaning or replacement of the filter. The recovery system 15 is accessible from the panel 79 and the filter 6 is accessible from the panel 79 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , fluid outlets 85 and gas outlets 84 are located on side panels 72 . Fluid outlet 85 is connected to conduit 13, which in turn is connected to a domestic sewer, another fluid storage container, or both. Gas outlet 84 is connected to conduit 42 . Referring to the foregoing, an optional scrub, baffle or filter cartridge can be located between the gas outlet 84 and the conduit 42 or it can be connected to the gas outlet 84 . That is, any gas or vapor first passes through conduit 42, then through gas outlet 84, and then to optional scrubbing, baffles or filter cartridges.

The air inlet 83 and the access port 82 are located on the panel 73. The air inlet 83 passes through the conduit 43 to give the equipment an additional air source. The access port 82 allows the operator/customer to easily take out, clean or replace the air system 35, 36, 38 and 40 to 43 for any filter.

The device also includes components for lipophilic fluid recovery and reuse. In particular, lipophilic fluids removed from treated fabric articles are typically a mixture of lipophilic fluids and contaminants collected during fabric treatment. Contaminants include, but are not limited to, water, wash soils, surfactants, bleaches, enzymes and other fabric cleaning aids used in detergent compositions. Various recovery methods can be used to separate the contaminants from the mixture, and the recovered lipophilic fluid can be stored in the device and reused in the fabric treatment process. Suitable restoration methods are described in the following patents: U.S. Patent Publication US 2002/0004952A1 (P&G Docket No. 8483M) and US 2003/0069159A1 (P&G Docket No. 8689M); U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/ 483,290 (P&G Case No. 9289P), and co-filed provisional patent applications titled "Process for Purifying A Lipophilic Fluid Employing A Functionalized Fabric Treating Agent" and "Process for Recovering ALipophilic Fluid From A Mixture By Modifying The Mixture"; both in Filed February 24, 2004 (P&G Docket Nos. 9542P and 9543P).

In one embodiment of the invention, the device is a retrofit household device. Conventional water-based laundry equipment, such as top-loading washers, side-loading washers, low wash volume washers, dryers, and washer/dryer combination machines, can be adapted for use in the method or apparatus of the present invention. In one embodiment, the remodeled washing machine retains the ability to wash and/or dry clothes that it had prior to the remodel. This will include all relevant connections and/or plumbing such as drainage to water sources and waste wash water etc. For example, the non-aqueous process of the present invention can be implemented as an additional cycle on conventional washing equipment. The consumer or a controller embedded in the device can select the appropriate wash cycle based on the fabric items to be washed and the soiling present. In another embodiment, the retrofit clothes dryer or washer/dryer combination will retain all associated connections and/or plumbing connections, such as air inlets and outlets, heater etc.

In another embodiment of the invention, the equipment is not a modification of existing equipment, but is specially made to perform the method of the invention.

The apparatus of the present invention may optionally be of similar dimensions to a domestic washing machine or dryer. That is, the external and/or internal dimensions are similar to a household detergent or dryer. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be of similar dimensions to commercial dry cleaning machines or industrial scale laundering apparatus, such as those used in commercial laundry services or laundromats.

The device of the invention may also comprise at least one capture device comprising a filter element; the filter element may be accommodated in a filter cartridge removably mounted on said washing device. The capture device can be located on any part of the device. There may be multiple capture devices, each designed to filter fluid or air/gas.

The filter element may be a lint filter which removes any loose particles, lint and fabric fibers etc. which are removed from the fabric article during processing.

Water softeners or filters may also be employed to remove ion (eg, calcium, magnesium)-generating hardness from any water used in the apparatus or method of the invention. This water hardness filter is only present where water is used in some form, such as an aid in lipophilic fluids or as part of a stand-alone water wash or pretreatment cycle. These units can be connected to a mains water source or other convenient water source. Water for washing or pretreatment should be passed through a water hardness filter before being used in the apparatus or method of the present invention. The water hardness filter may be in the form of a cartridge which is removable for easy cleaning, disposal and replacement with a new, unused water hardness filter.

A soil filter may be employed in the apparatus of the present invention to remove any soil removed from the fabric article. Solvent filters may also be used to remove components of the treatment composition used during treatment, such as water, surfactants, enzymes, and the like. This allows the lipophilic fluid and/or treatment composition to be regenerated and reused.

Equipment used in the apparatus and methods of the present invention will typically include a program selection control system with which the user can communicate via dials, buttons, touch pads, and the like. The control system may be an "intelligent control system", in which the equipment operates automatically in response to signals from sensors; or the control system may be a manual system or a traditional electromechanical system. The control system allows the user to select the size of the fabric load to be cleaned, the type of soil, the degree of soiling, the timing of the wash cycle and the type of cycle (eg wash or fabric treatment, dry cleaning or water wash, etc.). Alternatively, the user may select preset wash and/or refresh cycles. In another alternative embodiment, the device may control the length of the period based on any number of determinable parameters. For example, when the rate of collection of lipophilic fluid reaches a steady rate, the device may be configured to turn off after a fixed period of time, or to initiate another application of lipophilic fluid.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device of the invention may include a program selector. The selector may be in any suitable form, such as a number pad, buttons, touch pad, panel (typically including buttons or category selection elements), or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the device of the present invention may comprise a plurality of selectors. For example, a user may use one selector to enter the load size and another selector to enter the primary type of fabric to be treated (eg, "dry clean" indicates that there are only dry cleanable clothes in the wash load). Alternatively, all of these functions can be implemented on a multi-position selector. This type of selector has at least two selector positions. Possible combinations of selector positions include:

1. At least one selected from "dry cleaning", "care mark" and "slightly soiled", and at least one selected from "water wash", "normal" and "heavily soiled";

2. At least one selected from "Dry Cleaning", "Care Care Mark" and "Lightly Soiled", and at least one selected from "Fresh", "Deodorant", "Fabric Treatment" and "Rinse/Soften";

In one embodiment, any programmable selector has at least three selector positions comprising: at least one selected from "dry clean", "care flag" and "light soil", at least one selected from "water wash" , "Normal" and "Heavily Soiled", and at least one selected from "Fresh", "Deodorant", "Fabric Treatment" and "Rinse/Soften".

As used herein, the term "machine washable fabric article" refers to those fabric articles that are readily recognized by the fabric industry and consumers as safe to launder using conventional aqueous household automatic laundering methods. The term "dry clean only fabric items" as used herein refers to fabric items that are readily identified by the fabric industry and consumers as being unsafe to launder using conventional aqueous immersion laundering home automatic laundering methods, while instead requiring conventional non-aqueous solvents such as Perc (perchlorinated Vinyl) for those fabrics that have been specially treated. Manufacturers' labels on fabric products indicating that the product is "machine washable", "dry clean only" or similar instructions help to identify the type of fabric and choose the appropriate washing method accordingly.

In addition, the device of the invention may comprise a control system of so-called "smart devices". The smart device may include functions/means such as a self-diagnostic system, load type and cycle selection, connection to the Internet, remote activation of the device, a signal to the user when the device has completed the fabric treatment process or when the device is out Remote diagnosis of equipment failure by the supplier or manufacturer at the time of failure. Furthermore, the device of the invention may also be part of a washing system, a so-called "smart system", wherein the device of the invention is able to communicate with other washing cleaning process.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fluid permeable active chamber has a cylindrical surface and a rear wall and is mounted substantially horizontally. The fluid permeable active chamber is a drum that can be of any shape that allows the fabric article to tumble freely and rotate at high speed. This includes, but is not limited to, "drums" of hexagonal cross-section, "drums" of octagonal cross-section, and true cylindrical drums. The drum can be made of any suitable material. For example, suitable materials include aluminum, stainless steel, polymeric materials, and combinations thereof. The drum may have a uniform interior surface, but may also have various raised or recessed areas on the inner surface of the drum. The raised areas may comprise ridges or bumps regularly arranged on the inner surface of the drum. A regular setting is highly desirable as it facilitates the rotation of the drum. These ridges or ridges can optionally run the entire length of the drum. An illustrative example of such a drum can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

In another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of lipophilic fluid within the fluid permeable active chamber at any point in time does not exceed about 5 times the dry weight of the fabric article, alternatively, does not exceed the amount of said fabric article About 1.5 times the dry weight.

In another embodiment of the present invention, any detachably mounted components such as traps, filters and storage components (both cartridge and non-cartridge) can be removed from the top and front panels of the device. The chosen location is close. An illustration of such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 3 .

The apparatus of the present invention may optionally include one or more of the following components:

(a) at least one capture device comprising a filter element, such as those previously described;

(b) one or more auxiliary storage components for storing the composition, optionally, the components can be detachably mounted on the device;

(c) Connections to discharge equipment, air outlets, or a combination thereof;

(d) at least one gas inlet capable of providing air of suitable temperature and humidity, optionally with combined ozone and/or electrostatic treatment;

(e) an ozone source;

(f) a lipophilic fluid recovery system;

(g) Exit exhaust treatment/VOC control system;

(h) Physical static control components (e.g., corona discharge);

(i) Electric motors, such as variable speed, constant speed (clutches and gears can be used to achieve different speeds as required), brushless motors;

(j) heaters for heating gases or heating lipophilic fluids;

(k) compressors;

(l) Vacuum pumps;

(m) Inert gas supply components, such as argon, helium and xenon, etc.;

(n) safety interlocks, such as locks on any access doors that prevent opening of the equipment during use;

(o) steam inlets; and

(p) Sensor components, including but not limited to VOC, vibration, ozone, humidity, temperature and pressure sensor components.

In another aspect of the invention, the device comprises at least one sensor for clothing tag detection, for example, the clothing tag detector may be a radio frequency detector. In this embodiment, the fabric item has a mechanically removable label which is detectable by the device, allowing the device to select the appropriate treatment cycle/method depending on the fabric type of the fabric item, e.g. silk, coarse Chino, Wool, Rayon, Cotton, "Dry Clean Only" and more.

The invention can be performed on devices capable of operating in "dual mode". A "dual mode" appliance is one that both washes and dries fabrics in the same drum, ie a dry-to-dry operation. Dual mode equipment for conventional aqueous washing processes is commercially available, especially in Europe.

method

One aspect of the method of the present invention involves multiple spin, spray and tumble cycles in apparatus 70 . Chamber 1 is capable of tumbling, agitating, rotating or otherwise applying mechanical energy to its contents including the fabric article, lipophilic fluid, detergent and fabric conditioning composition and is capable of uniformly distributing the lipophilic fluid and composition to on all fabric items in chamber 1.

The amount of lipophilic fluid dispensed into chamber 1 is typically less than about 5 times the dry weight of the fabric article to be cleaned, or less than about 2 times the dry weight of the fabric article, or less than about 1.5 times the dry weight of the fabric article ( ie 3/2 times) to about 0.2 times, or from about 20% to about 150%, or from about 20% to about 90% by dry weight of the fabric load. In one embodiment, the amount of lipophilic fluid is such that no or only a minimal amount of lipophilic fluid exceeds the absorbent capacity of the garment, typically about 150% by dry weight of the fabric. For example, the apparatus of the present invention can use as little lipophilic fluid as about 5 kg to about 10 kg in one application of lipophilic fluid to clean a typical 5 kg load of fabric articles classified as soiled. It should be understood that the fluid reservoirs in the equipment may typically hold much more fluid than is used for a single treatment cycle, and that the equipment may fully or partially recover fluid per cycle, and/or have multiple cycles. Typically, in a domestic situation, the amount of fluid is based on the weight, type, and amount of soiling of the clothes, and can be controlled through a user-selectable interface to select the most appropriate cycle, much in the same way that consumers operate on conventional washing machines. similar.

It should be understood that the present invention also encompasses "submersion" washing methods in which a quantity of lipophilic fluid is pumped into chamber 1 such that the fabric items are submerged in the wash liquor. The total amount of lipophilic fluid may be from about 550% to about 1500% of the dry weight of the fabric, based on the weight of the dry fabric within the chamber.

The timing of applying the lipophilic fluid will depend on the precise method used to apply the lipophilic fluid and the number of cycles the lipophilic cleaning fluid is passed through the fabric article and can vary widely. For example, the time may be from about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes. More generally, the entire cleaning or fabric treatment operation from start to finish (when the fabric is ready to wear, unless optionally ironed) can be from about 5 minutes to about 3 hours, or even longer, e.g. , if a low-energy overnight operating mode is considered or if there is additional fabric treatment after the washing operation. Total process time will also vary with precise equipment design, for example equipment variants with reduced pressure (vacuum) components can help reduce cycle time. A typical operation, including a wash cycle, rinse cycle, and dry cycle, takes from about 20 minutes to about 2 hours in total. Consumers may not have strong expectations for fabric treatment operations involving longer periods of time, but there will be demands for energy savings, which will vary from country to country.

At least a portion of the lipophilic fluid is then removed from the fabric by non-distillative removal. One embodiment of the non-distillative removal method employs an inflatable bladder, not shown, which expands from the rear wall of the inner drum 66 along the axis of rotation of the inner drum 100 and presses the fabric load against the chamber 1 the inner wall. The pressure exerted by the inflated bladders forces the lipophilic fluid from the fabric through the holes of the inner drum 46 into the outer chamber 2 and is collected in the tank 8 through the conduit 7 . During this non-distillative removal, the chamber 1 may be stationary, rotate at a speed sufficient to overturn the fabric, or rotate at a speed sufficient to secure the fabric to the inner walls of the chamber 1 . The expansion and contraction of the airbag can be done in combination with the fabric load redistribution caused by the rotation of the chamber 1 .

Another embodiment of non-distillative removal involves the use of capillary action, such as that provided by sponges and the like. In this embodiment, the lipophilic fluid-treated fabric article is pressed against a sponge or the like to remove the lipophilic fluid. For example, the sponge can be located on the rear wall 66 of the inner chamber 1 , or on one of the lifting fins 60 . The sponge can be prevented from contacting the fabric by the movable cover part until appropriate.

Yet another embodiment of non-distillative removal involves high speed rotation of the chamber 1, known in conventional equipment as a spin cycle. Fabric articles treated with lipophilic fluids are subjected to high centrifugal accelerations, typically on the order of about 4,450 m/ ^s2 (about 450G). Typically, the fabric load is subjected to high centrifugal acceleration for about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes. The lipophilic fluid removed by the high centrifugal acceleration collects in tank 8. The sorting pump and transfer conduits 3 to 7 shown in Figure 1 illustrate one possible method of recovering the fluid removed from the fabric article.

After partial removal of the lipophilic fluid by non-distillation methods, air is introduced into the chamber 1 to completely dry the fabric articles without the need for additional or separate drying equipment. Alternatively, the fabric articles may be transferred to another compartment or chamber within the same device for a drying cycle. Suitable transfer means are exemplified in "tunnel-type" washing machines in which fabric articles are transferred from one compartment to the other internally via a conveyor. Examples of tunnel washing machines are disclosed in EP 0,914,511 B1 and WO 98/48094 (to Electrolux).

Typically, the non-distillation step removes at least about 70% or at least about 80% by weight of the lipophilic fluid. Removal of remaining lipophilic fluid is achieved in a drying step during which the fabric articles within the chamber are tumbled under flowing air. The air is optionally heated to a temperature below about 100°C, or between about 30°C and about 80°C, or between about 40°C and about 65°C, with a flow rate of between about 15 L/s and about 272 L/s between, or between about 20L/s and about 200L/s. Alternatively, a gas such as nitrogen may be used instead of air. In another alternative embodiment, a gas (eg, steam, ozone) can be added to the air. Optionally, the air is ionized.

In another optional embodiment, surface active or inert fabric care substances can be added to the air or air stream for additional fabric care benefits such as static removal, pleasant odors, sanitizing and softening, and the like.

Exhaust air may be filtered or purged by other components to ensure that a minimum amount of solvent vapor is removed from the system, such as through an exhaust system. Gas sensors can be located close to the vent to monitor the concentration of solvent vapors in the air stream exiting the equipment. Another gas sensor may be included in the apparatus to monitor the solvent vapor content in the chamber 1 . In another aspect of the method of the present invention, a fabric finishing step is included in the drying cycle. After the lipophilic fluid is at least partially removed from the treated fabric article, the fabric conditioning composition is delivered into chamber 1 such that it contacts the fabric article and delivers fabric conditioning benefits such as fabric softening, fluffing, odor, Antistatic, anti-wrinkle, etc.

In one embodiment, the finishing composition is applied to the fabric article by spraying while the fabric article is, for example, tumbling or spinning at a low speed (for example, spinning at a centrifugal acceleration of about 9.8 m/s ² ), which can produce just enough to hold the garment close together. Chamber 1 force) in this type of motion. Alternatively, the finish is applied to the fabric article by spraying in multiple stages, with the fabric article being tumbled during or between stages, to achieve a more even distribution of the composition on the surface of the fabric.

In another embodiment, the fabric finishing composition is applied during the drying cycle when the temperature of chamber 1 is below about 100°C, or about 20°C to about 80°C, or about 35°C to about 60°C. In yet another embodiment, in order to impart a long-lasting fragrance to treated fabric articles, a fabric finish with a fragrance as the main ingredient (i.e., no other ingredients in the composition at a higher percentage) is applied during the cooling operation of the drying cycle. combination. As used herein, the term "cooling operation" refers to the portion of the drying cycle during which heat is no longer supplied to chamber 1, although heat may continue to be applied to the finishing composition to facilitate distribution of the composition.

Suitable finishing compositions comprise fabric care agents including, but not limited to: finishing polymers, fabric softeners, fragrances, wrinkle control agents, antistatic agents, water and mixtures thereof. In a specific embodiment, water vapor and water mist can be used as a finishing composition. The compositions may be liquids or gels at room temperature and may be activated by heat. That is, the viscosity of the composition needs to be lowered below about 50 mPa·s (50 centipoise) at 100°C or lower. In a typical embodiment, the composition has a viscosity at about 37°C of between about 0.5 to about 20 mPa·s (about 0.5 to about 20 centipoise). Viscosity can be measured with a Brookfield LVF viscometer.

Other applicators or dispensing devices may also be used, such as nebulizers, atomizers, and the like. A typical such applicator is capable of providing droplets having an average particle size of less than about 100 microns, typically from about 0.1 microns to about 60 microns, or from about 0.5 microns to about 40 microns, or from about 1 micron to about 20 microns. Due to the small particle size, the droplets are more likely to move with the air in the chamber 1 . The droplets may be directed towards walls 65, 66 and 67 by air circulation means such as fans. Alternatively, the air circulation system or gas/air vent may be closed during dispensing of the finishing composition into the chamber so that droplets of finishing composition are not lost through the vent. Optionally, to ensure contact between the dispensed finishing composition and the fabric article, the air circulation system or vent may remain closed for about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes after the finishing composition has been completely dispensed.

Nebulizers, atomizers and similar devices are well known to those skilled in the art. A suitable device for use herein is a nebulizer with at least one ultrasonic tip or ultrasonic oscillator unit. A typical such nebulizer is commercially available under the tradename Acu Mist ^(R) from Sono Tek Corporation, Milton, New York. Other examples of such devices are commercially available from Omron Health Care, GmbH, Germany and Flaem Nuove, SPA, Italy. Likewise, aerosol delivery systems well known in the art can also be used to deliver detergent and/or finishing compositions. An electrostatic dispensing device can also be used to dispense the composition into the chamber 1 . Examples of such electrostatic dispensing devices are described in US Patent Application 10/418,595 (P&G Docket No. 8903) and PCT Publication WO 03/02291.

Other dispensing devices that can be removably attached to the front door 59 are described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 10/697,735, 10/697,685, and 10/697,736 (P&G Dockets 9397, 9398, and 9400); U.S. Patent Application 2003/0200674A1; PCT Publication WO 03 /087285 and WO 03/087461. It should be understood that these dispensing devices can be used to deliver cleaning compositions, finishing compositions, and even lipophilic fluids.

In another aspect of the method of the present invention, the detergent composition is mixed with a lipophilic fluid prior to contacting the fabric articles to form a dilute wash liquor. Mixing can be done outside the equipment, while the diluted wash solution is stored in a tank in the equipment. Alternatively, the detergent composition and lipophilic fluid are stored in separate tanks and mixed within the apparatus to form the wash liquor. After the wash liquor is dispensed into the chamber 1, the fabric article is tumbled for about 1 to about 20 minutes to redistribute the fabric article and ensure an even distribution of the lipophilic fluid on the fabric article. A further portion of the lipophilic fluid is applied to the fabric article, optionally tumbling the fabric article for about 1 to about 20 minutes. The final portion of lipophilic fluid is applied to the fabric article during tumbling or low speed rotation (approximately 9.8 m/s ² ) of the fabric article. The lipophilic fluids used in the different steps herein may comprise the same or different compositions, the same or different lipophilic fluids, in the same or different amounts, or combinations thereof.

The lipophilic fluids used in the different steps herein may also include water or other polar solvents (e.g. diols and ethylene glycols); the method of using mixed fluids in the wash liquid (referred to as the "dual mode" cleaning method) is described in U.S. Patent Application 10/612,106 (P&G Docket No. 8121C). In one embodiment of the dual mode cleaning method, at least one of the steps uses a lipophilic fluid as the primary fluid. The primary fluid is the fluid that is present in higher amounts than any other fluid in the wash liquor. Although not required, the primary fluid typically comprises at least about 50% by weight of the wash liquor. For example, in a wash liquor in which three liquids are mixed in a weight ratio A:B:C of 45:30:25, component A is the main fluid. In another embodiment, instead of using a mixture, the lipophilic fluid, water and/or polar solvent are applied separately, either simultaneously or sequentially.

In another aspect of the methods of the present invention, the detergent composition can be applied directly (ie, without diluting it into a wash liquor) to the fabric article during the wash cycle. The detergent composition may be delivered by spray nozzles, nebulizers, atomizers, and the like. During application of the detergent composition, the fabric article may be tumbled; this tumbling redistributes the fabric article and ensures an even distribution of the detergent composition on the fabric article. Since the cleaning agent is not lost by dilution into the wash liquor, this method of direct deposition of the non-diluted composition more efficiently delivers the cleaning agent to the fabric article and uses a lower amount of cleaning agent while delivering the same benefit. Additional portions of the lipophilic fluid can be applied to the fabric article and the fabric article tumbled or rotated at low speed; these steps can be repeated if desired.

Optionally, the finishing composition can be applied to the fabric articles at any step of the wash cycle. The finishing composition can be applied directly to the fabric articles or premixed with the lipophilic fluid and/or detergent composition. In a particular embodiment, the finishing composition can be premixed with the detergent composition and applied to the fabric articles as a "2-in-1" composition.

In another aspect of the invention, the consumable and/or recoverable lipophilic fluid, detergent composition and/or finishing composition may be provided in tanks, cartridges, etc. containers that are removably connected via a "lock and key" system to the device so that they can be easily and conveniently replaced by the user.

The method of the present invention may optionally include the step of forming in situ an emulsion or microemulsion comprising, e. and water (optionally fabric treatment agent, polar solvent) such two or more fluid streams.

The oil-in-water emulsion can be formed by any suitable number of processes. For example, an aqueous phase containing an effective amount of a surfactant package can be contacted with the solvent phase by metered injection just prior to a suitable mixing device. Metering can be maintained such that the desired solvent/water ratio remains relatively constant. Adequate agitation to create the emulsification may be provided by mixing components such as pump assemblies or mixing devices such as in-line static mixers, centrifugal pumps and other types of pumps, colloid mills or other types of mills, rotary mixers, ultrasonic mixers, and Other components in which one liquid is dispersed into another immiscible liquid.

These static mixers are devices through which an emulsion passes at high speed, in which said emulsion undergoes a sudden change in direction and/or in which the diameter of the channels making up the interior of the mixer undergoes a sudden change. This creates a pressure loss which is a factor in obtaining the correct emulsification in terms of droplet size and stability.

In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the mixing steps are sequential. The process involves mixing the solvent with an emulsifier in the first stage and mixing and emulsifying the premix with water in the second stage. In another embodiment of the invention provision is made to perform the above mixing step in a continuous mode. Mixing is typically performed at room temperature, and fluids, water and cleaning agents are also supplied at room temperature.

Batch processes such as overhead mixers or continuous processes such as two-fluid coextrusion nozzles, in-line injectors, in-line mixers or in-line screens can be used to produce emulsions. The size of the emulsion components in the final composition can be controlled by varying the mixing speed, mixing time, mixing equipment and viscosity of the aqueous solution. Larger droplet size emulsions can generally be produced by reducing the mixing speed, reducing the mixing time, reducing the viscosity of the aqueous solution, or using a mixing device that produces less shear during mixing.

In a further aspect of the invention, the lipophilic fluid or wash is at least part of the extraction process concurrently with the dispensing of the fluid/wash. In this embodiment, uniform distribution is achieved by spraying said lipophilic fluid or wash liquor through at least one spray nozzle, while the fabric article moves within said fluid permeable active chamber while spraying. Some lipophilic fluids can be extracted by centrifugal force or gravity. In a further embodiment, the pattern of speed changes and/or reversing the direction of motion is used to redistribute the fabric within the fluid permeable active chamber, thus achieving uniform wetting.

Another embodiment of the method of the invention for treating fabric articles in the apparatus of the invention. In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the method comprises:

(I) one or more steps prior to soiling, soaking, or pretreating the fabric article or fabric article load by any conventional method; and

(II) At least one step of treating said fabric article or fabric article load in an apparatus according to any one of the preceding apparatus claims.

"The step or steps of pre-soiling, soaking or pretreating a fabric article or load of fabric articles by any conventional means" means pre-treating, pre-staining or soaking a fabric article or load strictly as in conventional household or their treatment in commercial laundering or commercial dry-cleaning equipment prior to cleaning or treatment. For example, soaking a fabric article or load overnight in a basin containing a bleach solution and then treating it in the apparatus of the present invention; or applying a pretreatment solution to a stained fabric article and then treating it in the apparatus of the invention Fabric products are processed, etc.

In another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the method comprises:

(I) at least one step of treating a fabric article or load of fabric articles in an apparatus according to any one of the preceding apparatus claims; and

(II) One or more steps of after-treating said fabric article or fabric article load by any conventional method.

"The step or steps of post-treating a fabric article or load of fabric articles by any conventional method" means post-treating the fabric article or load strictly as if cleaning in a conventional household or commercial water laundering facility or commercial dry cleaning facility or the post-processing that will be done to them after processing. For example, after treatment in the apparatus of the present invention, the fabric article is contacted with a fabric softener, and the like.

The device of the present invention can be used for refreshing and/or cleaning fabric articles. Furthermore, alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be used to clean a load of fabric articles in any of the described clothes washing or clothes treatment modes.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used in services such as drying cleaning services, diaper services, uniform cleaning services, or can be used in businesses such as laundromats, dry cleaners, linen services, be it hotels, restaurants, conference centers, airports, cruise ships , part of a port facility, casino.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus of the present invention may be used to treat unsorted loads of fabric articles without substantially damaging said articles or substantially without dye transfer between said articles. "Unclassified fabric articles" means that the fabric articles to be treated include two or more articles with a "dry clean only" care label. In other words, an apparatus and method for cleaning water washable fabrics at the same time and in the same apparatus as for cleaning dry clean only fabrics is an embodiment of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to fabric articles which have been treated in the apparatus of the invention. Typically, any such treated fabric article comprises an analytically detectable amount of at least one composition having a surface energy modifying effect but no antistatic effect (eg silicone); or at least one composition having a surface energy modifying and/or sensory-modifying and/or comfort-modifying/or aesthetic effect compositions and an analytically detectable content of at least one antistatic agent in addition to said at least one composition.

If any, the water used in the apparatus and method of the present invention may be softened, filtered, sterilized, heated, cooled, etc. before being used in the apparatus and method of the present invention.

lipophilic fluid

As used herein, "lipophilic fluid" means any liquid or mixture of liquids (up to 20% by weight of water) that is immiscible with water. In general, suitable lipophilic fluids can be completely liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, can be a readily fusible solid (e.g., a solid that becomes liquid in the temperature range of about 0°C to about 60°C), or can include ambient temperature and a mixture of liquid and vapor phases under pressure (eg, at 25°C and 101 kPa (1 atm) pressure).

Typically, suitable lipophilic fluids are non-flammable, or have relatively high flash points and/or low VOC characteristics to equal or exceed those of known conventional dry cleaning fluids, these terms having their conventional meanings as used in the dry cleaning industry.

Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic fluid substances include silicones, other silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, glycerol derivatives such as glycerol ethers, perfluoroamines, perfluorinated and hydrofluoroether solvents, low Volatile fluorine-free organic solvents, glycol solvents, other environmentally friendly solvents, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, "silicone" refers to a polysiloxane fluid that is non-polar and insoluble in water or lower alcohols. Linear siloxanes (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Dimethylcyclohexasiloxane (hexamer), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (pentamer, commonly referred to as "D5"), and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the siloxane comprises greater than about 50% cyclic siloxane pentamer, or greater than about 75% cyclic siloxane pentamer, or at least about 90% cyclic silicon oxane pentamer. In another embodiment, suitable silicones are those containing at least about 90% (or at least about 95%) pentamers and less than about 10% (or less than about 5%) tetramers and/or hexamers. Cyclic siloxane mixture.

Lipophilic fluids can include any component of dry cleaning solvents, especially the newer types including fluorinated solvents or perfluoroamines. Although some perfluoroamines, such as perfluorotributylamine, are unsuitable for use as lipophilic fluids, they can be present as one of many possible adjuncts for inclusion in compositions comprising lipophilic fluids.

Other suitable lipophilic fluids include, but are not limited to, diol solvent systems (e.g., higher diols such as _C6 or _C8 diols or higher), silicones including cyclic and acyclic types oxane solvents, etc., and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of low volatility non-fluorinated organic solvents include, for example, OLEAN ^(R) and other polyol esters, or certain relatively nonvolatile biodegradable mid-chain branched petroleum distillates.

Non-limiting examples of 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 tert-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol tert-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether.

In addition to siloxanes, non-limiting examples of other siloxane solvents are well known in the literature, see, e.g., "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology" by Kirk Othmer, and are available from a number of commercial sources, including GE Silicones, Toshiba Silicone, Bayer, and Dow Corning. For example, one suitable silicone solvent is SF-1528 available from GE Silicones.

Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerol derivative solvents for use in the methods and/or apparatus of the present invention have the following structures:

Wherein R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are independently selected from: H; branched or linear, substituted or unsubstituted C ₁ -C ₃₀ alkyl, C ₂ -C ₃₀ alkenyl, C ₁ -C ₃₀ alkoxycarbonyl, C ₃ -C ₃₀ alkenyloxyalkyl, C ₁ -C ₃₀ acyloxy, C ₇ -C ₃₀ alkylene aryl; C ₄ -C ₃₀ cycloalkyl; C ₆ -C ₃₀ aryl bases; and mixtures thereof. Two or more R ¹ , R ² and R ³ can jointly form a C ₃ -C ₈ aromatic ring or non-aromatic ring, heterocyclic ring or non-heterocyclic ring.

Non-limiting examples of suitable glycerol derivative solvents include 2,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethoxy)-1-propanol, 2,3-dimethoxy-1-propanol, 3-methoxy-2-cyclopentyloxy-1-propanol, 3-methoxy-1-cyclopentyloxy-2-propanol, carbonic acid (2-hydroxy-1-methoxymethyl) Ethyl methyl esters, glycerol carbonate and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of other environmentally friendly solvents include lipophilic fluids with an ozone generation potential of about 0 to about 0.31, lipophilic fluids with a vapor pressure of about 0 to about 0.1 mmHg, and/or vapor pressures greater than 0.1 mmHg and A lipophilic fluid with an ozone generating potential of 0 to about 0.31. Non-limiting examples of such lipophilic fluids not previously described above include carbonate solvents (i.e., methyl carbonate, ethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, glycerol carbonate) and/or succinic acid Ester solvent (ie, dimethyl succinate).

As used herein, "ozone reactivity" is a measure of the ability of a VOC to form ozone in the atmosphere. It is measured in grams of ozone formed per gram of volatile organic compounds. The method for determining ozone reactivity is further discussed in "Development of Ozone Reactivity Scales of Volatile Organic Compounds" by W.P.L. Carter, "Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association", Vol. 44, pp. 881 to 899, 1994. The "vapor pressure" used is determined using the technique detailed in California Air Resources Board Method 310.

In one embodiment, the lipophilic fluid comprises greater than 50% by weight of said lipophilic fluid of cyclopentasiloxane ("D5") and/or a linear analogue having nearly the same volatility, and optionally Make up with other silicone solvents.

combination

Detergents and fabric care agents can vary widely and can be used in a very wide range of levels. For a given fabric treatment agent, when present in the composition, it typically comprises from about 0.1% to about 80%, or from about 1% to about 60%, or from about 5%, by weight of the composition to about 50%. In some embodiments, water is included in the composition as a carrier; water may be present in an amount of about 0.1% to about 99%, or about 1% to about 90%, or about 10% to about 80%.

When the composition is diluted with a lipophilic fluid, water and/or a polar solvent to form a wash liquor, the specified fabric treatment agent, when present, typically comprises from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight of the wash liquor , or from about 0.1% to about 30%, or from about 1% to about 20%.

However, certain agents are used in the compositions at very low levels. For example, detersive enzymes such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, etc. and bleach catalysts (including macrocyclic types containing manganese or similar transition metals useful in washing and cleaning products) are typically used at very low levels in In the composition, typically from about 0.01% to less than about 5% by weight of the composition.

Some suitable cleaning agents include, but are not limited to, soil release polymers, surfactants, bleaches, enzymes, fragrances, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable fabric care agents include, but are not limited to, finishing polymers, softeners, fragrances, finishes, wrinkle control agents, shrinkage reducing agents, antistatic agents, and mixtures thereof.

Some of these cleaning or fabric care agents are described in detail below.

One class of suitable soil release polymers includes fluorinated soil release polymers (fluoro-SRPs), specifically, copolymers derived from perfluoromonomers and alkylmethacrylate monomers, sold under the trade name ZONYL <RTI ID=0.0 ^>(R)</RTI> is commercially available from EI du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. Also commercially available is REPEARL F35( ^R) from Mitsubishi, which contains the fluoro-SRP in the form of an aqueous suspension. Other suitable fluoro-SRPs are disclosed in WO 01/98384, WO 01/81285, JP 10-182814, JP 2000-273067, WO 98/4160213 and WO 99/69126.

Another class of suitable soil release polymers includes silicone-containing soil release polymers (Si-SRPs). Exemplary Si-SRPs are available from GE as DF104, DF1040, SM2125, SM2245, SM2101, SM2059 and commercially as Dow Corning 75SF( ^R) emulsion.

Also suitable for use as soil release polymers herein are water-soluble modified celluloses including, but not limited to, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, and similar compounds. These compounds and other suitable compounds are described in the Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 4th Edition, Volume 5, pages 541 to 563, entitled "Cellulose Ethers" and references cited therein.

Another class of suitable soil release polymers may include block copolymers of polyalkylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate, and polyalkylene terephthalate and polyethylene glycol block copolymers. These compounds are disclosed and discussed in detail in US 6,358,914 and US 4,976,879 .

Another class of soil release polymers are crystallizable polyesters comprising vinyl terephthalate monomers, oxyethylene terephthalate monomers, or mixtures thereof. Examples of such polymers are the commercially available Zelcon 4780( ^R) (available from DuPont) and Milease T ^(R ) (available from ICI). A more complete disclosure of these detergents is contained in EP 0 185 427 A1.

Surfactants suitable for use in the present invention have the general formula:

(I)Y _u -(T _t -X _v ) _x -Y' _w

(II)T _y -(X _v -Y _u ) _x -T' _z

and their mixtures;

wherein T and T' are solvent compatible (or lipophilic) moieties independently selected from:

(a) linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C22 alkyl or C4-C12 alkoxy;

(b) siloxanes having the formula:

(III) M _a D _b D′ _c D″ _d

where a is 0 to 2; b is 0 to 1000; c is 0 to 50; d is 0 to 50, provided that a+c+d is at least 1;

M in the chemical formula (III) is R ¹ _3-e X _e SiO _1/2 , wherein ^R in the chemical formula (III) is independently H or an alkyl group, X in the chemical formula (III) is a hydroxyl group, and e is 0 or 1;

D in chemical formula (III) is R ⁴ ₂ SiO _2/2 , wherein R ⁴ in chemical formula (III) is independently H or an alkyl group;

D' of chemical formula (III) is R ⁵ ₂ SiO _2/2 , and R ⁵ in chemical formula (III) is independently H, alkyl, or (CH ₂ ) _f (C ₆ Q ₄ ) _g O-(C ₂ H ₄ O) _h -(C ₃ H ₆ O) _i (C _k H _2k ) _j -R ³ , with the proviso that at least one R ⁵ of formula (III) is (CH ₂ ) _f (C ₆ Q ₄ ) _g O-(C ₂ H ₄ O) _h -(C ₃ H ₆ O) _i (C _k H _2k ) _j -R ³ , wherein R ³ of the chemical formula (III) is independently H, alkyl or alkoxy , the f of the chemical formula (III) is 1 to 10, the g of the chemical formula (III) is 0 or 1, the h of the chemical formula (III) is 1 to 50, the i of the chemical formula (III) is 0 to 50, the chemical formula (III) j is 0 to 50, and k of chemical formula (III) is 4 to 8; C ₆ Q ₄ of chemical formula (III) is unsubstituted or substituted, while Q of chemical formula (III) is independently H, C _1-10 alkane group, C _1-10 alkenyl group, and mixtures thereof.

D″ of chemical formula (III) is R ⁶ ₂ SiO _2/2 , wherein R ⁶ of chemical formula (III) is independently H, alkyl or (CH ₂ ) _l (C ₆ Q ₄ ) _m (A) _n -[ (L) _o -(A') _p -] _q -(L ') _r Z(G) _s , wherein l of chemical formula (III) is 1 to 10; m of chemical formula (III) is 0 or 1; chemical formula ( n of III) is 0 to 5; o of chemical formula (III) is 0 to 3; p of chemical formula (III) is 0 or 1; q of chemical formula (III) is 0 to 10; r of chemical formula (III) is 0 to 3; the s of the chemical formula (III) is 0 to 3; the C ₆ Q ₄ of the chemical formula (III) is unsubstituted or substituted, while the Q of the chemical formula (III) is independently H, C _1-10 alkyl, C _1-10 alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; A and A' of chemical formula (III) are respectively independently linking moieties, which represent ester, keto, ether, thio, amido, amino, C _1-4 Fluoroalkyl, C _1-4 fluoroalkenyl, branched or linear polyalkylene oxide, phosphate, sulfonyl, sulfate, ammonium, and mixtures thereof; L and L' of formula (III) are respectively It is independently C _1-30 linear or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl or unsubstituted or substituted aryl; Z of chemical formula (III) is hydrogen, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, phosphate, phosphoric acid ester, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid salt, sulfate, branched or linear polyalkylene oxide, nitro, glyceryl, unsubstituted or aryl substituted by C _1-30 alkyl or alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by C _{1- 10} alkyl or alkenyl or ammonium substituted carbohydrates; G of chemical formula (III) is an anion or cation such as H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , Li ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH ₄ ⁺ , Ca ⁺² , Mg ⁺² , Cl ^- , Br ^- , I ^- , mesylate or tosylate;

Y and Y' are hydrophilic moieties independently selected from hydroxyl, polyhydroxy, C1-C3 alkoxy, monoalkanolamine or dialkanolamine, C1-C4 alkyl substituted alkanolamine, Substituted heterocycles containing O, S, N, sulfate, carboxylate, carbonate; and when Y and/or Y' is ethoxy (EO) or propoxy (PO), it must be capped with R , R selected from:

(i) 4 to 8 membered, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycles containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms; and

(ii) straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon groups containing from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

X is a bridging group selected from O, S, N, P, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic or aromatic C1 to C22 alkyl , O, S, N, P are inserted in the alkyl group; protonated or unprotonated glycidyl, ester, amido, amino, PO ₄ ^2- , HPO ₄ -, PO ₃ ^2- , HPO _3- ^;

u and w are integers independently selected from 0 to 20, provided that u+w≥1;

t is an integer from 1 to 10;

v is an integer from 0 to 10;

x is an integer from 1 to 20; and

y and z are integers independently selected from 1-10.

Non-limiting examples of surfactants having the above formula include alkanolamines; phosphates/phosphonates; gemini surfactants include, but are not limited to, geminidiols, geminiamide alkoxylates, geminiaminoalkanes Oxylates; blocked nonionic surfactants; blocked silicone surfactants such as nonionic organosiloxane polymer ethoxylates, silicone amine derivatives; alkyl alkoxylates; polyol surfaces active agents; and mixtures thereof.

Yet another class of suitable surfactants are the organic sulfosuccinates, the carbon chains of which contain from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the organosulfosuccinate comprises dihydrocarbyl chains each containing from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the organosulfosuccinate has a chain comprising a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated aryl or alkylaryl group. Non-limiting commercially available examples of suitable organosulfosuccinate surfactants are available under the tradenames Aerosol OT ^(R) and Aerosol TR-70( ^R ) (eg, Cytec).

Non-limiting examples of suitable bleaching agents are selected from catalytic metal complexes, active peroxygen sources, bleach activators, bleach boosters, photobleaches, free radical initiators and hypohalous acid bleaches.

Examples of suitable catalytic metal complexes include, but are not limited to, manganese-based catalysts such as Mn ^IV ₂ (uO) ₃ (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-tri Azacyclononane) ₂ (PF6) ₂ ; cobalt-based catalysts _{disclosed in} US _Pat . Acetate moiety, while "T _y " is an anion; transition metal complexes of macrocyclic rigid ligands - "MRL" for short. Suitable metals in the MRL include Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, V, Mo, W, Pd and Ru in various oxidation states. Examples of suitable MRLs include: dichloro-5,12-diethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecanemanganese(II), dichloro-5,12- Diethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecanemanganese(III) hexafluorophosphate and dichloro-5-n-butyl-12-methyl-1,5 , 8,12-Tetraazabicyclo[6.6.2]hexadecanemanganese(II). Suitable transition metal MRLs are readily prepared by known methods, such as those suggested in eg WO00/332601 and US 6,225,464.

Suitable active peroxygen sources include, but are not limited to, preformed peracids, hydrogen peroxide sources combined with bleach activators, or mixtures thereof. Suitable preformed peracids include, but are not limited to, compounds selected from the group consisting of percarboxylic acids and their salts, percarbonic acids and their salts, perimidic acids and their salts, peroxymonosulfuric acids and their salts, and mixtures thereof . Suitable sources of hydrogen peroxide include, but are not limited to, compounds selected from the group consisting of perborate compounds, percarbonate compounds, superphosphate compounds, and mixtures thereof. Suitable types and amounts of active peroxygen sources are found in US Pat. Nos. 5,576,282, 6,306,812 B1 and 6,326,348 B1, which are incorporated by reference.

Suitable bleach activators include, but are not limited to, perhydrolyzable esters and perhydrolyzable imides such as tetraacetylethylenediamine, octanoyl caprolactam, benzoyloxybenzenesulfonate, nonanoyloxybenzene Sulfonate, Benzoylvalerolactam, Lauryloxybenzenesulfonate.

Suitable bleach boosters include, but are not limited to, those described in US Patent No. 5,817,614.

Non-limiting examples of suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, and others. Suitable proteases include subtilisins [such as Bacillus ^subtilis , ^Bacillus lentus, Bacillus ^{licheniformis} , Bacillus ^{amyloliquefaciens} (BPN , BPN'), Bacillus alkalophilus], BLAP and variants (from Henkel). Other suitable proteases are described in EP130756, WO 91/06637, WO 95/10591 and WO 99/20726. Suitable amylases (alpha and/or beta) are described in WO 94/02597 and WO 96/23873. Non-limiting examples of commercially available amylases include Purafect OxAm ^(R) (from Genencor) and Termamyl ^(R) , Natalase ^(R ), Ban ^(R) , Fungamyl ^(R) , and Duramyl( ^R) (from Novozymes). Suitable cellulases include bacterial or fungal cellulases, such as those produced by Humicola alolites, especially DSM 1800 [commercially available as Carezyme ^(R) ]. Other suitable cellulases are EGIII cellulases produced by Trichoderma longostimera. Suitable lipases include those produced by the Pseudomonas and Chromobacteria groups. Non-limiting examples of commercially available lipases include Lipolase ^(R) , Lipolase Ultra ^(R) , Lipoprime ^(R) , and Lipex( ^R) from Novozymes. Also suitable herein are cutinases [EC 3.1.1.50]; esterases; carbohydrases such as mannanases (US 6,060,299); pectate lyases (WO 99/27083); glycantransferase (WO96/33267); and xyloglucanase (WO99/02663). Additionally, non-limiting examples of bleaching enzymes include peroxidases, acetyl-CoA carboxylases, oxygenases (such as catechol-1,2-dioxygenase), lipoxygenases (WO 95/ 26393), (non-heme) haloperoxidase.

The term "perfume" as used herein refers to any odorous substance. Suitable fragrances include, but are not limited to, one or more aromatic chemicals, oils of natural origin, and mixtures thereof. Chemical classes of the aforementioned aromatic chemicals and essential oils include, but are not limited to, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones. Typically, the fragrance is provided using a fragrance delivery system.

Suitable perfume delivery systems include, but are not limited to, perfume-loaded cyclodextrins, amine-assisted delivery compositions, polymer-assisted perfume systems, reactive/protofragrance systems, and inorganic carrier systems. The fragrance-loaded cyclodextrin delivery composition comprises a fragrance material or a blend complexed with a cyclodextrin-type material - the majority of the cyclodextrins can be alpha-, beta- and/or gamma-cyclodextrin, or only beta-cyclodextrin. Methods of preparing cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin delivery compositions are further described in US Patent Nos. 3,812,011, 4,317,881, 4,418,144, and 5,552,378.

Amine assisted delivery systems comprise one or more perfumes and polymeric and/or non-polymeric amine materials which are added to the finished product separately from the perfume. The above systems are described in WO 03/33635 and WO 03/33636.

Polymer assisted delivery systems use the physical bonding of polymeric materials and perfumes to deliver perfume substances. Suitable polymer auxiliary systems include, but are not limited to, storage systems (coacervates, microcapsules, starch capsules) and matrix systems (polymer emulsions, latexes). The above systems are further described in WO 01/79303, WO 00/68352, WO 98/28339 and US Patents 5,188,753 and 4,746,455.

-酮酯、原酸酯和光致原香料。上述体系被进一步描述于WO00/24721、WO 02/83620和美国专利6,013,618和6,451,751中。Reactive/pro-fragrance systems include, but are not limited to, polymeric pro-fragrances, which include perfume substances (typically aldehyde or ketone fragrances) that are reacted with a polymeric carrier (typically a nitrogen-based carrier) prior to incorporation into the product; non-polymeric pro-fragrances; Perfume systems comprising perfume substances reacted with non-polymeric substances such as Michael adducts (β-aminoketones), Schiff bases (imines), oxazolidines,

- Ketoesters, Orthoesters and Photogenic Fragrances. The above systems are further described in WO 00/24721, WO 02/83620 and US Patents 6,013,618 and 6,451,751.

Inorganic carrier systems comprising inorganic materials (porous zeolites, silica, etc.) are loaded with one or more fragrance substances. The above systems are further described in US Patents: 5,955,419, 6,048,830 and 6,245,732.

Suitable odor control agents include materials including cyclodextrins, odor neutralizers, odor blocking agents, and mixtures thereof. Suitable odor neutralizers include aldehydes, flavans, metal salts, water soluble polymers, zeolites, activated carbon, and mixtures thereof.

Other cleaners suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to, builders including insoluble types such as zeolites including Zeolite A, P and the so-called Max Aluminum P as well as soluble types such as phosphates and polyphosphates, any hydrated, water soluble soluble or water-insoluble silicate, 2,2'-oxodisuccinate, tartrate succinate, glycolate, NTA and many other ester carboxylates or citrates; chelating agents include EDTA, S, S'-EDDS, DTPA and phosphonates; water soluble polymers, copolymers and terpolymers; soil release polymers; optical brighteners; processing aids such as stiffeners and/or fillers; Reprecipitation agent; hydrotrope, such as sodium cumene sulfonate or calcium cumene sulfonate, potassium naphthalene sulfonate, etc., humectant; other fragrance or precursor fragrance; dyestuff; photobleaching agent; thickener ; simple salts; bases such as those based on sodium or potassium including hydroxides, carbonates, dicarbonates and sulfates and the like; and combinations of one or more of these compositions.

Suitable finishing aids include, but are not limited to, finishing polymers, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, odor control agents, odor neutralizers, fragrances, insect and/or moth repellents, and mixtures thereof.

Finishing polymers can be natural or synthetic and can function by forming a film and/or by providing adhesive properties. For example, the present invention may optionally employ film-forming and/or binder polymers to impart shape retention to fabrics, especially garments. "Binder" means that when applied as a solution or dispersion to a fiber surface and dried, the polymer adheres to said surface. The polymer can form a film on the surface, or it can bond the two layers of fibers together when it resides between and in contact with the fibers of the two layers.

Non-limiting examples of commercially available finishing polymers are: polyvinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymers such as Copolymer 958 ⁽ R) with a molecular weight of about 100,000 and Copolymer 937 with a molecular weight of about 1,000,000, available from GAF Chemicals Corporation; adipic acid/dimethylaminohydroxypropyldiethylenetriamine copolymers such as Cartaretin F-4 ^(R) and F-23 from Sandoz Chemicals Corporation; methacryloyl ethyl betaine/ Methacrylate copolymers such as Diaformer Z-SM ⁽ R) from Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation; polyvinyl alcohol copolymer resins such as Vinex 2019 ^(R ) from Air Products and Chemicals, or Moweol( ^R ) from Clariant; Oxypropyldiethylenetriamine copolymers, such as Delsette 101( ^R) , available from Hercules Incorporated; polyamine resins, such as Cypro 515( ^R) , available from Cytec Industries; polyquaternary resins, Kymene 557H( ^R) , available from Hercules Incorporated; and Polyvinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid, such as Sokalan EG 310 ^(R) from BASF.

Additional examples of suitable finishing polymers include, but are not limited to, starch carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable fabric softeners or actives typically comprise cationic moieties such as quaternary ammonium salts, which may be selected from the group consisting of: N,N-Dimethyl-N,N-di(tallowyloxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate, N- Ammonium methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-N,N-bis(alkanoyloxyethyl)methyl sulfate and mixtures thereof. Other examples of fabric softeners include, but are not limited to, silicones or silicone emulsions (eg, aminosilicones, cationic silicones), polyol polyesters (eg, sucrose ester derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

Exemplary antistatic agents include fatty acyl-containing fabric softeners with an iodine value of 20 or greater, such as N,N-bis(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium methyl sulfate. However, it should be understood that the term antistatic agent is not limited to said fabric softeners, but includes all antistatic agents.

Exemplary insect and borer repellants that can be used in the present invention can include fragrance ingredients such as citronellol, citronellal, citral, linalool, cedarwood extract, geranium oil, sandalwood oil, 2-(bis ethylphenoxy)ethanol, 1-dodecene, etc. Other examples of insect and/or borer repellants useful in the compositions of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,449,987; 4,693,890; 4,696,676; 4,933,371; 5,030,660; Species", published in Bioactive Volatile Compounds from Plants, ACS Symposium Series 525, R. Teranishi, R.G. Buttery, and H. Sugisawa, 1993, pp. 35-48, all patents and publications mentioned are hereby incorporated by reference refer to.

suite

A kit comprising a plurality of parts is another aspect of the invention. Parts of this kit include, but are not limited to:

(a) a fabric conditioning composition and/or detergent composition as described herein;

(b) a reservoir for storing said composition;

(c) a dispensing device for dispensing said composition;

(d) connection means for detachably connecting said reservoir and/or said dispensing device to a fabric treatment appliance;

(e) A package or container for containing components (a-d).

The kit also includes a set of instructions associated with the reservoir or the packaging for how to use the kit. In one embodiment, the description may include two subset descriptions. A subset instructs the user to assemble the components of the kit such that the dispensing device is in fluid communication with the composition in the reservoir. Another subset instructs the user how to attach and detach the reservoir and/or dispensing device to the fabric treatment appliance. In another embodiment, wherein the dispensing device and reservoir form an integral unit, the instructions need only instruct the user how to attach and detach the integral unit to the fabric treating appliance.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

All percentages stated herein are by weight unless otherwise indicated. It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were also expressed herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every smaller numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

All cited documents are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art to the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. A dual mode fabric treatment apparatus comprising: chambers for containing fabric articles; a first reservoir for storing lipophilic fluid; a second reservoir for storing a fabric finishing composition; a dispensing device configured to dispense said fabric finishing composition in the form of droplets; optional heating means for heating the chamber; and optionally a gas sensor for monitoring the lipophilic fluid vapor concentration in said chamber; wherein said apparatus is configured to provide a fabric treatment operation comprising a wash cycle and a dry cycle; dispensing said lipophilic fluid into said chamber during said wash cycle; and dispensing said lipophilic fluid during said wash cycle; The device dispenses the fabric cleaning composition into the chamber such that at least a portion of the dispensed fabric cleaning composition contacts the fabric article in the chamber. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device and the second reservoir are detachably connected to the device. 3. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing means and the second reservoir are an integral unit. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fabric conditioning composition is dispensed in the form of droplets having an average particle size in the range of 0.1 microns to 1200 microns. 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing means comprises a member selected from the group consisting of spray nozzles, ultrasonic drop locators, nebulizers, electrostatic chargers, and combinations thereof. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber while the chamber is at a temperature of up to 100°C. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric finishing composition is dispensed into the chamber while the chamber is at a temperature of 20°C to 80°C. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fabric conditioning composition is dispensed into the chamber during the cooling operation of the drying cycle. 9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric finishing composition comprises a fabric care agent selected from the group consisting of finishing polymers, fabric softeners, antistatic agents, odor control agents, odor neutralizers , spices, insect and/or borer repellants, and mixtures thereof. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a third reservoir for storing detergent composition. 11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the third reservoir is detachably connected to the device. 12. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detergent composition comprises a cleaning agent selected from the group consisting of soil release polymers, surfactants, bleaches, enzymes, perfumes, water, and their mixture. 13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detergent composition is dispensed directly into the chamber during a wash cycle whereby the dispensed composition contacts the fabric products. 14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detergent composition is dispensed in the form of droplets having an average particle size in the range of 0.1 microns to 1200 microns. 15. A method of treating fabric articles in a dual mode fabric treating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, said method comprising the steps of: placing a fabric article within the chamber; dispensing a lipophilic fluid into the chamber such that the fabric article is in contact with the lipophilic fluid; removing at least a portion of the lipophilic fluid from the chamber; and Dispensing the fabric finishing composition in droplets into the chamber such that the fabric article is in contact with the fabric finishing composition. 16. A kit comprising: (a) detergent compositions, fabric conditioning compositions or both; and At least one of the following components: (b) a reservoir for storing said composition; (c) a dispensing device for dispensing said composition; (d) connection means for detachably connecting said reservoir and/or said dispensing device to a fabric treatment appliance; (e) optional packaging for containing components (a to d); and (f) an optional set of instructions for said reservoir or said packaging, said instructions instructing said user to connect said reservoir and/or said dispensing device to or from said fabric treatment apparatus The fabric treatment appliance is removed, and the components of the kit are optionally assembled such that the dispensing device is in fluid communication with the composition in the reservoir.

Images