Abstract:
Methods for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluorinated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating, refreshing or cleaning fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery.
Abstract:
A process for fabric article treatment in a single appliance using a substantially aqueous mediumd comprising a first predominant fluid and a substantially non-aqueous medium comprising a second predominant fluid. Specifically, the first and the second predominant fluids are selected to be different in order to deliver more effective results. The first predominant fluid is water and the second predominant fluid is selected from the group consisting of linear or cyclic silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.
Abstract:
A drycleaning method is disclosed. In the method, a composition that comprises dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (DPnP) and is essentially free of siloxanes or polysulfonic acids is used. The composition contains at least about 80 wt. % DPnP and up to about 15 wt. % of water. The method enables superior stain removal while avoiding excessive fabric shrinkage or soil redeposition.
Abstract:
An aerosol spray cleaner comprises two containers and a dispenser with a single dispensing spray outlet. One container has a cleaning composition and the other has an oxidizing composition. An integrally molded actuator includes a resiliently cantilevered lever connected to container valves to simultaneously open the valves to dispense the two fluids through the dispensing spray outlet. A handle extends laterally of the containers so grasp the handle and depress the actuator with a thumb.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to automatic home laundering processes for cleaning or refreshing fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery. The present invention also relates to automatic home laundering of mixed loads of fabric articles comprising machine washable fabric articles and dry clean only fabric articles.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system includes a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein and a one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator is coupled to the condenser. A fan is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a closed loop dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). In this class of organo silicones is a group known as cyclic siloxanes. The cyclic siloxanes present the basis for material composition of the solvent chemistry which allows this dry cleaning system to be highly effective. The cyclic-siloxane-based solvent allows the system to result in an environmentally friendly process which is, also, more effective in cleaning fabrics and the like than any known prior system. The siloxane composition is employed in a dry cleaning machine to carry out the method of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading articles into a cleaning basket; agitating the articles and the siloxane composition in which they are immersed; removing most of the siloxane composition; centrifuging the articles; and removing the articles from the basket after cooling the articles.
Abstract:
A method and means for cleaning silk fabric for the prompt and efficient removal of stains from silk fabric, for example a stain on a silk tie, without causing visible lasting changes in color and without unpleasant smell. By means of a cleaning tissue, made of, for example, a textile material, essentially in the form of a wet tissue, impregnated with a grease solvent and a neutralizing agent, a stain on a silk tie is easily removed without any traces by rubbing the stain with the tissue, whereby the stain is dissolved by the grease solvent and is absorbed by the tissue, the smell-neutralizing agent preventing any unpleasant smell from spreading. The grease solvent may be a special boiling point spirit of heptane type. The smell-neutralizing agent may be an oil of terpene type, such as lemon oil.
Abstract:
A detergent product comprising: (i) a foaming composition which includes: a surfactant, a detergent builder and less than 25%, by weight, of water; (ii) a propellant gas; and a (iii) a container. The viscosity of the foaming composition, measured at 20.degree. C. and 1 atmosphere, using a Brookfield viscometer, No. 2 Spindle at 60 rpm, is less than 700 mPa.multidot.s.