Cleaning method

• US 9,550,966 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2015
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xeros Limited (Xeros Technology Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Xeros Limited (Xeros Technology Group Plc)
• Inventors: Jenkins, Stephen Derek, Burkinshaw, Stephen Martin, Waddon, Alan John
• Primary Examiner(s): Mruk, Brian P
• Application Number:
  US14/809,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20150344824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/10 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 31/16 with two or more oxygen or sulfur atoms directly attached to the same aromatic ring system
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/10 Objects to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/12 Soft surfaces, e.g. textile
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/12 Water-insoluble compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/128 Aluminium silicates, e.g. zeolites C11D3/1253 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/37 Polymers polymeric surface-active agents C11D1/008; polysaccharides C11D3/222
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3715 Polyesters or polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3719 Polyamides or polyimides
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3726 Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3749 Polyolefins; Halogenated polyolefins; Natural or synthetic rubber; Polyarylolefins or halogenated polyarylolefins
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/48 Medical, disinfecting agents, disinfecting, antibacterial, germicidal or antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads. The results obtained are very line with those observed when carrying out conventional aqueous cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of antimicrobial agents in or on the polymer bead greatly improves the overall hygiene in the washing machine by preventing mold and bacterial growth on the polymer particle surfaces, particularly at low temperatures.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a soiled substrate, said method comprising the treatment of a moistened soiled substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein said polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent, where said soiled substrate comprises leather or a textile fibre or fabric, and subsequently separating the polymeric particles from the substrate and recovering the polymeric particles in order to allow for re-use, wherein said antimicrobial agent is introduced into said polymer particles during extrusion of said polymer.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said textile fibre or fabric is a natural or synthetic fibre or fabric, wherein said natural or synthetic fibre or fabric comprises cotton, nylon 6,6 or a polyester.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soiled substrate is wetted by contact with mains or tap water so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:

0.1 to 1;

5 w/w.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of said particles to the soiled substrate is in the range of from 0.1:

1 to 10;

1 w/w.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method comprises a batchwise process or continuous process and said treatment is carried out at a temperature of between 5°

and 35°

C. and/or for a duration of between 5 and 45 minutes.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antimicrobial agent comprises a solid chlorophenol derivative or a silver-containing material.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said solid chlorophenol derivative comprises 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol or its derivatives.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said silver-containing material comprises a silver-containing zeolite material.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antimicrobial agent is added to said polymer at a level of 0.1-5.0% (w/w).

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said formulation further comprises at least one additional cleaning agent.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one additional cleaning agent comprises at least one surfactant and said surfactant comprises at least one anionic, non-ionic, cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic and/or semi-polar non-ionic surfactant.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one surfactant comprises at least one surfactant having detergent properties and said at least one additional cleaning agent comprises at least one detergent formulation.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one additional cleaning agent also comprises at least one enzyme and/or bleach.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one additional cleaning agent is mixed with said polymeric particles or is coated with said at least one additional cleaning agent.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said detergent formulation additionally comprises at least one additive selected from anti-redeposition additives, optical brighteners, perfumes, softeners, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal agents, suds suppressors, dyes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, starches, earners, hydrotropes, processing aids and/or pigments.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polymeric particles comprise polyalkenes, polyesters, polyamides or polyurethanes, or their copolymers, wherein said polyamide particles comprise nylon beads and wherein said nylon beads comprises Nylon 6,6 homopolymer having a molecular weight in the region of from 5000 to 30000 Daltons.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polymeric particles are in the shape of spheres, cubes or cylinders, and said particles are solid or hollow, wherein said cylindrically shaped particles optionally have an average particle diameter in the region of from 1.0 to 6.0 mm and the length of said particles is in the range of from 1.0 to 5.0 mm.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said particles have an average mass in the region of from 1 to 50 mg.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polymeric particles comprise foamed or unfoamed polymeric materials and said polymers are either linear or crosslinked.