GB2188341A

GB2188341A - Controlled-release container for fabric-treatment agents

Info

Publication number: GB2188341A
Application number: GB08707397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Bird
Original assignee: Caligen Foam Ltd
Current assignee: Caligen Foam Ltd
Priority date: 1986-03-27
Filing date: 1987-03-27
Publication date: 1987-09-30
Also published as: DK158287D0; GB8607832D0; EP0240266A2; EP0240266A3; GB8707397D0; DK158287A

Abstract

A product for the controlled release of a treatment agent comprises a sealed container (5) formed from synthetic foamed plastics material (e.g. polyurethane) and a particulate treatment agent (8) contained within the container and having particles larger than the pore size of the foam. A preferred product for stain removal purposes incorporates a brightener, a bleach activator and a stain remover soluble in cold water enabling the product to be used in the pre-wash cycle of a washing machine. Also, fabric-softening, antistatic, lubricating, bacteriostatic, mildew-proofing, moth-proofing and water-proofing agents may be incorporated. <IMAGE>

Description

GB 2 188 341 A SPECIFICATION distributed mannerand itis an objectof the

present invention to provide a product whereby this may be Fabrictreatment products attained.

According to its broader aspectsthe invention This invention relatesto productsfor use in the 70 provides a productforthe controlled release of a treatment of fabrics in laundry operations. treatment agent,the product comprising a sealed It is necessary in the laundering of garments and containerformed from porous material and a fabriesto vary laundering conditions and employ powered or granular treatment agent contained differing chemical treatments dependant on the within the container, in which the container is nature of thefabrics concerned and on the extentto 75 formed from synthetic foamed plastics material and which they have been soiled. Fabrics subjected to the major proportion of the particles of thetreatment severe staining, for example, requirethe application agent are largerthan the average pore size of the of special stain removing preparationsfor effective foam so as to be releasable from the container only cleaning and many garments are advantageously by permeation through the pores of thefoam treated with chemicals imparting a softertexture or 80 material when dissolved by an activating agent.

feel to the fabrics after cleaning. Preferably the container is in the form of a bag or Hitherto various difficulties have arisen in sachet and comprises polyurethane foam.

applying such chemicals to fabrics in a manner Preferably the treatment agent is water soluble, which is effectiveyet does not subject areas of the such thatwater acts as said activating agentto fabricto excessive quantities of the chemicalswhich 85 dissolve the treatment agent and cause itto can result in damage. Such problems are permeatethrough the pores of the foam. The accentuated in modern automatic washing and treatment agent may advantageously consist of or drying machines where it is often difficuitto include a stain remover.

introduce treatment chemicals at preciselythe Preferably the product is soluble in cold water so correct stage in the washing or drying cycle since 90 as to be usable during the pre-wash cycle of a machines are programmed to carry out sequences of domestiewashing machine.

washing and drying operations automatically According to a preferred aspect of the invention without operator involvement. there is provided a controlled release stain removing The principle difficulties relate to the control or product comprising a sealed flexible container in the release of treatment agents so thatthey act uponthe 95 form os a sachetformed from syntheticfoamed fabrics atthe correcttimes during the laundering plastics material and a cold water soluble stain cycle yet are uniformly released and dispersed in removing agent in particulate form contained within order notto subject areas of thefabricto excessive said sachet,the major proportion of the particles of treatmentwhich can be damaging. For maximum said stain removing agent being largerthan the simplicity it is desirable thatthe treating agents 100 average pore size of thefoam whereby on should be introduced into the machine atthe introduction of the product intothe pre-wash cycle of initiation of the laundering cycle but certain agents a washing machinethe particles of stain removing are best released at subsequent stages andthis agent are dissolved bythe wash water and released creates problems in relation to the containment and in solution through the pores of thefoam into release of the agents. 105 contactwith garments orfabrics being washed.

Various proposals have been made for containing Preferablythe agent comprises a fabric treatment treating agents to permit their introduction into product incorporating a brightener, a bleach laundry machines and their release at appropriate activator and a stain remover.

times during the laundering cycle. In one such The invention also provides a method of treating arrangementfor use in a dryer, treating agents are 110 laundryto remove stains comprising introducing contained within a porous pouch or containerfrom into a washing machine at or beforethe pre-wash which they are gradually released in particleform stage of the operating cycle a controlled release and dissolve on contaetwith moisture contained in product comprising a flexible sachetformed from the fabrics. Such arrangements sufferfrom the synthetic foamed plastics material containing a disadvantage that spotting orstaining of garments 115 cold-water-soluble stain-removing agent in can arise dueto the particles of treating agent particulateform in which the major proportion of the requiring to be deposited on the garments before particles of said agent are largerthan the average they are dissolved. pore size of the foam, and operating the machine It has also been proposed to contain treating wherebythe particles of the stain-removing agent agents in a pouch or container of fabric construction 120 are dissolved bythe wash water and released into from which they are released by dissolving but it is solution through the pores of the foam to act upon difficult with such arrangements to provide for garments orfabrics contained in the machine.

adequate releasethrough the walls of the container An embodiment of the invention will now be during the laundering cycle without the treating described, byway of example only, with referenceto agents being released from the container in dry dust 125 the accompanying drawings, in which:

form during transportation and storage priorto use. Figure 1 is a plan view of a controlled release There accordingly remains a need to find some product according to the invention; and means of containing treating agents for dispersal Figure2 is a cross- section through the product on among fabrics, garments orthe like at appropriate the line 11-11 in Figure 1.

times in a laundering cycle and in a uniformly 130 Referring to the drawings, the product comprises a 2 GB 2 188 341 A 2 sachet5 offoamed plastics material such as overall quantities of the agents is eliminated.

polyurethane foam which is sealed around its Moreover since the treatment agent permeates peripheral edges 6to form a cavity7 within which is through the walls of the sachet onlywhen dissolved enclosed a powdered treatment agent& The particle in thewash water, problems of dusting seepage or size of thetreatment agent relativeto the cell size of 70 otherescape of treatment agent before it is thefoam from which the sachet isformed is such introduced into thewashing machine are eliminated.

thatthe powdered agent cannot permeatethrough Whilethe proportions of constituents in the the sachet in its dry state. Itwill be appreciatedthat treatmentagent may bevaried dependanton due to variations in cell size and in particle size ofthe differing requirements, in a preferred composition agentsome degree of permeation or "dusting" may 75 forgeneral domesticwashing purposesthe agent is take place in the dry state. Essentially howeverthe made up as follows (percentages byweight); maximum cell size and the minimum particle size are Stain Remover - 65% to 85% selected to minimise dry release and contain the Bleach Activator - 10% to 20% particles of treatment agent within the sachet until Brig htener - 5% to 15% released by dissolving as described hereafter. 80 Particularly effective results have been attained Thetreatment agent comprises a water soluble utilizing a composition comprising approximately composition incorporating a brightener, a bleach 75% of stain remover, 15% of bleach activator and activator and a stain remover. The agent is soluble in 10% of brightener. The stain remover, bleach cold water and when contacted with fabrics the activator and brightener may comprise any known solution effects removal of stains, brightens the 85 agents of these kinds suitable for use in domestic colouring of the fabric and enhances the cleaning washing machines and which are compatible in the effect of conventional washing powders by sense thatthey do not neutralize one another, delay activating the bleaches in such powders at lower or interfere with their respective functions or react in temperatures than would otherwise be the case. The a manner producing undesirable effects on the sachet contains sufficient quantity of treatment 90 garments orfabrics being washed. Suitable stain agentto effect such treatments to a normal wash removers include the biological enzymio load in a domestic washing machine. degradation products and fuller's earth.

In use of the product it is placed into a washing The sachet may be constructed from a variety of machine drum together with clothes orfabrics to be syntheticfoamed plastics materials. The preferred washed when the drum is loaded. The machine is 95 material however is a synthetic polyurethane foam then setto carry out a pre-wash cycle in coldwater having a density of 13- 30 kilograms percubic metre (generally between VC and 25'C). This dissolvesthe and from 20-60 or preferablyfrom 45-55 cells per25 agentwithin the sachetthus releasing the combined mm. Otherdensities of foam may be employed brightener, stain removerand bleach activator into dependant on the nature of thetreating agent and the water in the machine in solution by permeation 100 the conditions underwhich it is to be released. In through the pores of the foam and hence into contact some instances the agent may be granulated rather with the fabrics or clothes being cleaned. than powered and the rate of release may be Since it is necessaryforthe agentto dissolve controlled by use of sachetforming foam materials before itcan release from the surrouding sachet,the of different porosity.

product avoids the problem of particles of the agent 105 In an alternative productfor laundry usethe coming into direct contaetwith areas of thefabrics treatment agent may consist solely of stain remover, and thereby subjecting them to excessive chemical thereby providing a product which may be action resulting in damage. The agent permeates introduced into the pre- wash of a washing machine through the cells or pores of the sachet in the form of only in those cases where the user recognises that a solution which is dispersed through the wash 110 the fabrics or garments or certain of them have been water and thus applied uniformlyto the fabrics in the subjected to severe staining and require additional machine. treatmentto produce effective cleaning. An By virtue of the stain removing componentthe alternative product for laundry use may incorporate product effects a stain removing action during the a treatment agent in the form of a fabric softener pre-wash cycle thereby removing particularly severe 115 designed to be released during the normal wash staining before the fabrics are subjected to normal cycle of a washing machine and soluble in warm wash cycles. The brightener enhances the colouring water (between about 25 OC and 50 OC) but not of the fabrics and the bleach activator improves the necessarily in cold water. In such a casefabric effectiveness of the washing powder employed in softener is either released in the pre-wash cycle and the pre-wash cycle which otherwise would be less 120 attaches itself to the garments before effective than in normal washing cycles due to the commencement of the wash cycle, or remains in the lowtemperature of water employed in prewashing. sachetthrough to the wash cycle when it is dissolved By virtue of the sachetform of the product it is in the warm water of the wash cycle and released readily handleable and the correct quantities of from the sachet into contactwith the garments or several treatment agents are automatically applied 125 fabrics being washed. Otherfabric treating agents to each wash load by introduction of a single sachet. which may be employed in a similar manner either

There is thus no requirement on the part of the singly or in combination include anti-static, operatorto measure individual quantities of the lubricating, bacteriostatic, mildew-proofing or agents concerned and the possibility of error moth-proofing agents and water-proofing agents.

through utilizing incorrect proportions or excessive 130 By virtue of the arrangements described treatment 3 GB 2 188 341 A 3 agents may be held in a conveniently handleable average pore size of thefoam whereby on form and without being activated until such time as introduction of the product intothe pre-wash cycle of they are introduced into conditionswhich effect a washing machinethe particles of stain removing activation and permit release of the agent by agent are dissolved bythe wash water and released permeation through the cells or pores of the 70 in solution through the pores of the foam into container in which it is enclosed. The products are of contactwith garments orfabrics being washed.

a readily handleableform and havethe advantage 8. A product according to any preceding claim that predetermined quantities of treatment agent wherein the agent comprises a fabric treatment may be incorporated thereby enabling precisely product incorporating a brightener, a bleach accurate amounts to be employed without requiring 75 activator and a stain remover.

the userto effect measurement or control overthe 9. A product according to claim 8 comprising quantities used. This is particularly advantageous in 65-85% stain remover, 10-20% bleach activator and relation to fabric treating agents where the 5-15% brightener.

proportions and quantities of different agents 10. A product according to claim 8 comprising require to be critically controlled. Complex 80 approximately 75% stain remover, 15% bleach combinations of treating agents maytherefore be activatorand 10% brightener.

utilized which could not be readily incorporated 11. A product according to any preceding claim individually by hand, and the dangers resulting from wherein sufficient agent is presentto treat a single direct impingment of undissolved product onto wash load in a domestic washing machine, the areas of fabric or clothing are automatically avoided. 85 product being discarded after use.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification 12. A product according to any preceding claim to draw attention to those features of the invention wherein said foamed plastics material has a density believed to be of particular importance it should be of 13-30 kilograms per cubic metre.

understood that the Applicant claims protection in 13. A product according to any preceding claim respect of any patentable feature or combination of 90 wherein said foamed plastics material has 20-60 cells features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in per 25 mm.

the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has 14. A product according to any preceding claim been placed thereon. wherein said foamed plastics material has 45-55 cells per 25 m m.

Claims

CLAIMS 95 15. A product according to any preceding claim including a

furthertreatment agent soluble in cold 1. A product for the controlled release of a water.

treatment agent, the product comprising a sealed 16. A product according to any preceding claim containerformed from porous material and a including a f u rther treatment agentsoluble in warm powered or granulartreatment agentcontained 100 water but not in cold water.

within the container, in which the container is 17. A product according to claim 15 or 16 wherein formed from synthetic foamed plastics material and said agent is selected from one or more of fabric the major proportion of the particles of the treatment softening, anti- static, lubricating, bacteriostatic, agent are larger than the average pore size of the mildew-proffing, moth- proofing and water-proofing foam so asto be releasablefrom the containeronly 105 agents.

by permeation through the pores of thefoam 18. A controlled release laundry product material when dissolved by an activating agent. substantially as hereinbefore described with 2. A product according to claim 1 wherein said reference to the accompanying drawings.

container is in the form of a bag or sachet. 19. A method of treating laundry to remove 3. A product according to claim 1 or 2 wherein 110 stains comprising introducing into a washing said container comprises polyurethane foam. machine at or before the pre- wash stage of the 4. A product according to any preceding claim operating cycle a controlled release product wherein said agent is watersoluble, such thatwater comprising aflexible sachetformed from synthetic acts as said activating ageritto dissolvethe foamed plastics material containing a treatment agent and cause itto permeatethrough 115 cold-water-soluble stain-removing agent in the pores of thefoam. particulate form in which the major proportion of the 5. A product according to any preceding claim particles of said agent are larger than the average wherein said treatment agent is soluble in cold water pore size of the foam, and operating the machine so asto be usable during the pre-wash cycle of a wherebythe particles of the stain-removing agent domesticwashing machine. 120 aredissolved bythe wash water and released into 6. A product according to any preceding claim solution through the pores of the foam to act upon wherein said treatment agent consists of or includes garments or fabrics contained in the machine.

a stain remover. 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said 7. A controlled release stain remover product agent also incorporates a bleach activator and a comprising a sealed flexible container in theform of 125 brightener.

a sachetformed from syntheticfoamed plastics 21. A method according to claim 19 or 20 wherein material and a cold water soluble stain removing said product also incorporates an agent which is agent in particu late form contained within said soluble in warm water but not in cold water and the sachet, the major proportion of the particles of the product is left in the machine through to at leastthe said stain removing agent being larger than the 130 wash cycle of the machine.

4 GB 2 188 341 A 4 22. A method of treating laundry substantially as hereinbefore described.

23. Any nova] subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (1) K) Ltd,8187, D8991685. Published byThe Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 'I AY, from which copies maybe obtained.