Methods for laundering delicate garments in a washing machine

• US 6,995,124 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1999
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Barnabas, Freddy Arthur, Wernicke, Todd Michael, Mellea, Michelle Frances, Curry, John Downing, Siklosi, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOYER, CHARLES I
• Application Number:
  US09/830,251
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 813/7, 814/2, 383/81, 383/82, 383/83, 383/84, 383/85, 383/86, 383/98, 383/99, 383/101, 383/103, 383/124, 510/276, 510/283, 510/285, 510/329, 510/330, 510/515, 510/519
• US Class Current: 510/285
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/65 Mixtures of anionic with cationic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/12 Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/373 containing silicones
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/00 Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents D06F9/00 - D06F41/00 take precedence

Abstract

A product and process for laundering delicate or dry-clean only garments in a conventional home washing machine. The process represents a home version of the commercial wet-cleaning processes for cleaning of delicate garments. The product comprises a liquid combination washing/conditioning composition and optionally a wash pretreatment composition, a flexible wrap container within which the garments are contained during washing and a pretreatment applicator.

Claims

1. A kit comprising:

(a) a flexible wrap container comprising;

a flexible panel having a right edge, a left edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge;

at least one strap and a first fastening device attached to said strap for securing the wrap container in a roll-like shape;

a first flap attached to said right edge of said flexible panel; and

a second flap attached to said left edge of said flexible panel, wherein said first and second flaps overlap when folded about their respective edges;

(b) instructions for using the flexible wrap container, the instructions being enclosed with or on a container enclosing the kit; and

(c) a liquid detergent composition suitable for washing and conditioning delicate fabrics comprising;

i) an anionic surfactant;

ii) a quaternary ammonium surfactant;

iii) a silicone softening agent; and

iv) optionally, an emulsifier;

wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants is from about 2;

1 to about 3;

1, preferably from about 2.2;

1 to about 2.8;

1.

2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the kit further comprises a wash pretreatment composition comprising surfactants, enzymes and water.

3. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the flexible wrap container at standard temperature and pressure has a density of greater than about 1 g/cm³.

4. A kit according to claim 2 wherein the wash pretreatment composition further comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of:

detersive surfactants, enzymes, dye transfer inhibiting polymers, soil release agents, detergent builders, non-detersive surfactants, dispersant polymers, water, ethanol and mixtures thereof.

7. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the silicone softening agent is a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane.

5. A process comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a garment within a flexible wrap container, the flexible wrap container comprising;

(i) a flexible panel constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of woven polyester, woven nylon or a combination thereof;

the flexible panel has a right edge, a left edge, a top edge and a bottom edge;

(ii) at least two connecting means located adjacent to the bottom edge of the flexible panel for the purpose of attaching the flexible wrap container to a second flexible wrap container;

(iii) a first and a second strap, each strap attached adjacent to the top edge of the flexible panel; and

(iv) a first fastening device which is fixably and permanently attached to the first or second strap, so that the first fastening device'"'"'s position on the strap does not change, and a second fastening device, attached to the first or second strap by passing the strap through the second fastening device in such a way that by changing the second fastening device'"'"'s position on the strap, the length of the strap can be increased or decreased;

(b) placing the flexible wrap container together with an effective amount of a liquid detergent composition suitable for washing and conditioning delicate fabrics inside a washing machine wherein the detergent composition comprises;

i) an anionic surfactant;

ii) a quaternary ammonium surfactant;

iii) a silicone softening agent; and

iv) optionally, an emulsifier;

wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactants to quaternary ammonium surfactants is from about 2;

1 to about 3;

1, preferably from about 2.2;

1 to about 2.8;

1; and

(c) operating the washing machine as directed by the manufacturer.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein before step (a), the process further comprises the steps of:

(i) applying a wash pretreatment composition directly to a stain, the stain being in contact with an absorbent material covering a localized area of the garment intended to be washed;

(ii) concurrently with step (i), applying mechanical action to the stain by means of a wash pretreatment applicator, whereby the stain is transferred into the absorbent material; and

(iii) optionally, rinsing the wash pretreatment composition off the localized area of the garment.

8. A process according to claim 5 wherein the silicone softening agent is a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane.

9. A process according to claim 5 wherein improved ironing efficiency of the garment results therefrom.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein reduced wrinkling of the garment results therefrom.

11. A process according to claim 9 wherein the garment is composed of silk fibers.