Fabric softener device for in-dryer use

• US 6,254,932 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2000
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Custom Cleaner, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Custom Cleaner, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, James A., Kellett, George W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Shrive
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, JENNIFER KOLB
• Application Number:
  US09/525,633
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 427/242, 427/11, 428/224, 428/245
• US Class Current: 427/242
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/041 Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/047 Arrangements specially adapted for dry cleaning or laundry dryer related applications
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/001 Softening compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/43 Solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/50 Perfumes
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 1/58 by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives in combination with needling D04H1/488
• CPC Class Codes: D06L 1/00 Dry-cleaning or washing fibres, filaments, threads, yarns, fabrics, feathers or made-up fibrous goods
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 23/02 Processes in which the treating agent is releasably affixed or incorporated into a dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/20 Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2033 Coating or impregnation formed in situ [e.g., by interfacial condensation, coagulation, precipitation, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2303 Coating or impregnation provides a fragrance or releases an odor intended to be perceptible to humans
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2352 Coating or impregnation functions to soften the feel of or improve the "hand" of the fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2402 Coating or impregnation specified as a size
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2418 Coating or impregnation increases electrical conductivity or anti-static quality
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2582 Coating or impregnation contains an optical bleach or brightener or functions as an optical bleach or brightener [e.g., it masks fabric yellowing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2615 Coating or impregnation is resistant to penetration by solid implements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2861 Coated or impregnated synthetic organic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2918 Polypropylene fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/607 Strand or fiber material is synthetic polymer

Abstract

A system for the softening or other treatment of fabric articles is provided which comprises a vented bag comprising a fastening system and flexible sheet releasably impregnated with an effective amount of a liquid fabric-treatment composition.

Claims

1. A moist flexible fabric treatment sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of:

a fabric treatment agent;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to a fabric article while leaving no significant residue on the sheet after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent.

2. The moist flexible fabric treatment sheet of claim 1 wherein said fabric treatment agent is a fragrance.

3. The moist flexible fabric treatment sheet of claim 2 wherein said fragrance is less than 2% by weight of the liquid composition.

4. The moist flexible fabric treatment sheet of claim 1 wherein said fabric treatment agent is an odor masking agent.

5. The moist flexible fabric treatment sheet of claim 1 wherein said liquid water vehicle comprises at least 10% water.

6. A moist flexible fabric treatment sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of:

a fragrance present in less than 2% by weight of said composition;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to a fabric article while leaving no significant residue on the sheet after the composition is released, and a liquid vehicle comprising at least 10% water.

7. A method of treating a fabric article comprising heating and tumbling in a dryer at least one fabric article in contact with at least one moist flexible sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of:

a fabric treatment agent;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to the sheet while leaving no significant residue on the fabric article after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the fabric treatment agent is a fragrance.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said fragrance is less than 2% by weight of the liquid composition.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said fabric treatment agent is an odor masking agent.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said liquid vehicle comprises at least 10% water.

12. A method of treating a fabric article comprising heating and tumbling in a dryer at least one fabric article in contact with at least one moist flexible sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of:

a fragrance in an amount less than 2% by weight of said composition;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to the sheet while leaving no significant residue on the fabric article after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising at least 10% water.

13. A fabric treatment kit comprising, packaged in association:

(a) at least one bag having an opening comprising a fastening system, and;

(b) at least one moist flexible sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of;

a fabric treatment agent;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to the sheet while leaving no significant residue on a fabric article after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent.

14. The kit of claim 13 wherein the fabric treatment agent is a fragrance.

15. The kit of claim 14 wherein said fragrance is less than 2% by weight of the liquid composition.

16. The kit of claim 13 wherein said fabric treatment agent is an odor masking agent.

17. The kit of claim 13 wherein said liquid vehicle comprises at least 10% water.

18. A fabric treatment kit comprising, packaged in association:

(a) at least one bag having an opening comprising a fastening system, and;

(b) at least one moist flexible sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition consisting essentially of;

a fragrance in an amount less than 2% by weight of said composition;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to the sheet while leaving no significant residue on a fabric article after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising at least 10% water.

19. A fabric treatment kit comprising, packaged in association:

(a) at least one bag having an opening comprising a fastening system, and;

(b) at least one moist flexible sheet coated or impregnated with a liquid composition, said liquid composition comprising;

a fabric treatment agent;

a dispersing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition and releasably adhere it to the sheet while leaving no significant residue on a fabric article after the composition is released; and

a liquid vehicle comprising water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent.

20. The kit of claim 19 wherein the fabric treatment agent is a fragrance.