Abstract:
A cleaning method and system that utilize an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The method and system have no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the method and system utilize the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum. Finally, the drum is de-pressurized to atmospheric pressure to evaporate any remaining pressurized fluid solvent, yielding clean, solvent free textiles. The organic solvent is preferably dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether or tripropylene glycol methyl ether, a mixture thereof, or a similar solvent and the pressurized fluid solvent is preferably densified carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
A fabric cleaning system, especially a system for use in the consumer's home, utilizing down the drain detergent composition for a non-aqueous, lipophilic fluid based washing process and automatic laundry machines useful for this process.
Abstract:
A composition containing a silicone-containing polymer for cleaning fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery, with lipophilic fluid provides improved cleaning of soils while providing excellent garment care, especially for articles sensitive to water.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for removing and/or reducing incidental soils from fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery, wherein the compositions provide improved cleaning of incidental soils, either with or without a subsequent wash process or other entire fabric care process are provided. The compositions and methods are safe for use on a wide range of fabric articles, even in the home.
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for separating water from a solvent during dry cleaning. Included is an inlet capable of receiving a mixture of dry cleaning fluid and water from a basket of a dry cleaning apparatus. The dry cleaning fluid includes a siloxane composition. Also provided is a flow controller for urging a flow of the mixture received from the outlet. Coupled to the flow controller is a coalescent media that receives the mixture urged by the flow controller. A chamber is coupled to the coalescent media for receiving the mixture from the coalescent media to separate the water and the dry cleaning fluid. Also coupled to the chamber is an outlet to remove the dry cleaning fluid from the chamber in the absence of the water.
Abstract:
A process for laundering garments soiled with a one component paint, a two component paint, a waterborne paint, a powder coat paint or a mixture thereof comprising the steps of exposing the soiled garment to an acid ester; subsequently washing the garment by exposing the garment to at least one detergent and to at least one alkali to remove paint solids adhered to the garment in the presence of a coating solvent to prevent the redeposition of the paint solids removed from the garment by the detergent and the alkali and, subsequently drying the garment.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method and composition for the removal of nonpolar stains from a fabric comprising:contacting said stains with densified carbon dioxide and a cleaning adjunct in mixture with said carbon dioxide.
Abstract:
A process for simultaneous cleaning and finishing of soiled textile material in which the textile is (A) exposed to a cleaning bath consisting essentially of a major amount of a textile dry cleaning solvent and minor amounts of water, and containing (1) a polyfluoroalkyl substituted stain repellent material and (2) an emulsifying agent which does not adversely influence the stain repellency of the treated textile material, and then (B) is dried.